Abstract
The behavior of encapsulated LaNi5, a typical hydrogen storage alloy, was investigated with the aim of improving unfavorable behavior such as disintegration. A sieved fraction (250/400 mesh) of LaNi5 particles was encapsulated with polystyrene (polymerization degree 1000–1400). The effect of polystyrene/LaNi5 weight ratio (0.015, 0.075, 0.15 and 0.30) on the material characteristics was investigated by using an absorption-desorption apparatus. The number of activation pretreatment increased with increasing of the polystyrene/LaNi5 ratio. The absorption capacity was not influenced by the encapsulating treatment. The initial absorption rate decreased with increasing polystyrene/LaNi5 ratio. Disintegration did not occur in the range of polystyrene/LaNi5 ratio larger than 0.15. From these results, the optimum ratio was found to be 0.15.
