New activation process for Zr-Ti-Cr-Mn-V-Ni alloy electrodes: The hot-charging treatment

To improve the activation behavior of AB(2) type Zr-Ti-Cr-Mn-V-Ni multi-component alloys, a new activation process called the hot-charging treatment has been developed. Alloy electrodes were immersed in KOH solution and charged simultaneously at various electrolyte temperatures and charge current densities. It was found that the activation behavior and the rate capability of this alloy electrode were greatly improved after the hot-charging treatment, and furthermore the treated electrode was fully activated after the first cycle. The effects of this treatment have been discussed on the basis of the results of scanning electron microscopy and auger electron spectroscopy.