US5616432A
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Electrochemical hydrogen storage alloys and batteries fabricated from Mg containing base alloys
Assignee: Chevron Technology Ventures LLC
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Filing: 1995-05-08
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Granted: 1997-04-01
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Expires: 2015-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material having a microstructure including a substantial volume fraction characterized by intermediate range order and exhibiting extraordinarily high storage capacity and methods of fabricating same.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanford R. Ovshinsky
- 👤 Michael A. Fetcenko
- 👤 Benjamin Reichman
- 👤 Kwo Young
- 👤 Benjamin Chao
- 👤 Jun Im
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:14
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/0005; C01B3/001; C01B3/0018; C01B3/0031; C01B3/0042; C01B3/0047; C01B3/0057; H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/36; H01M4/38; H01M4/383; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/32; Y10; Y10S; Y10S420/00; Y10S420/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 73
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising: (Base Alloy).sub.a M.sub.b where, Base Alloy is an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1; M represents at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca; b is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; and a+b=100 atomic percent; and wherein at least 25% of the microstructure of said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material exhibits intermediate range order.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising: (Base Alloy).sub.a M.sub.b where, Base Alloy is an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1; M represents at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca; b is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; and a+b=100 atomic percent; and wherein at least 25% of the microstructure of said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material exhibits intermediate range order.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, wherein the portion of said microstructure that does not exhibit intermediate range order includes polycrystalline inclusions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, where the microstructure of said material provides additional numbers of active sites.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, wherein said material comprises powder particles that are from 1-75 microns in size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 4, wherein said powder particles average from 5-38 microns in size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, wherein said material comprises a combination of amorphous regions, nanocrystallites, and microcrystallites varying from 0-100 Å in size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, wherein said material comprises crystallites that are primarily nanocrystallites and polycrystallites from 20-100 Å in size.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, wherein said at least one modifier is Co and b=0.5 to 8.0 atomic percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, wherein said at least one modifier is Co and Mn.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, wherein said ratio of Mg and Ni is about 1:1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, wherein said material is etched following fabrication using an acid etch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 11, wherein said material is etched after it has been formed into a negative electrode using an acid etch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, comprising: (Base Alloy).sub.a Co.sub.b Mn.sub.c wherein b=0.1 to 8.5 atomic percent: c=0.1 to 8.5 atomic percent; b+c≧0.5 atomic percent; and a+b+c=100 atomic percent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 13, wherein b=2.5 to 5.5 atomic percent, and c=4.5 to 8.5 atomic percent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 1, wherein said materials have the formula Mg.sub.52 Ni.sub.39 Co.sub.3 Mn.sub.6. 16.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
A disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising: (Mg.sub.1-x M'.sub.x Ni.sub.1-y-z Co.sub.y Mn.sub.z).sub.1-a-b-c M".sub.a M'".sub.b M.sup.iv.sub.c where x is 0.01 to 6.0 atomic percent; y is 0.1 to 8.5, preferably 2.5 to 5.5 atomic percent; z is 0.1 to 10, preferably 4.5 to 8.5 atomic percent; a is 0.1 to 6 atomic percent; b is 0.01 to 2 atomic percent; c is 0.01 to 3 atomic percent; d is 0.01 to 8 atomic percent; M' is chosen from the group consisting of Ca, Be, and Y; M" is chosen from the group consisting of V, Ti, Zr, Cr, Al, Fe, and Sn; M'" is chosen from the group consisting of B, Bi, In, and Sb; and M iv is chosen from the group consisting of Cu, Th, Si, Zn, Li, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, and F.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
139 words
A disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising: (Mg.sub.1-x M'.sub.x Ni.sub.1-y-z Co.sub.y Mn.sub.z).sub.1-a-b-c M".sub.a M'".sub.b M.sup.iv.sub.c where x is 0.01 to 6.0 atomic percent; y is 0.1 to 8.5, preferably 2.5 to 5.5 atomic percent; z is 0.1 to 10, preferably 4.5 to 8.5 atomic percent; a is 0.1 to 6 atomic percent; b is 0.01 to 2 atomic percent; c is 0.01 to 3 atomic percent; d is 0.01 to 8 atomic percent; M' is chosen from the group consisting of Ca, Be, and Y; M" is chosen from the group consisting of V, Ti, Zr, Cr, Al, Fe, and Sn; M'" is chosen from the group consisting of B, Bi, In, and Sb; and M iv is chosen from the group consisting of Cu, Th, Si, Zn, Li, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, and F.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 16, where x is 0.1 to 6.0 atomic percent; y is 2.5 to 5.5 atomic percent; and z is 4.5 to 8.5 atomic percent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 16, where said material is etched following fabrication using an acid etch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 16, where said material is etched after said material has been formed into a negative electrode using an acid etch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
119 words
An electrochemical hydrogen storage cell comprising: a disordered multicomponent negative electrode comprising an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1; and at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca where the total mass of said at least one modifier is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent of said alloy; where at least 25% of the microstructure of said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material exhibits intermediate range order; a positive electrode; and a separator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
119 words
An electrochemical hydrogen storage cell comprising: a disordered multicomponent negative electrode comprising an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1; and at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca where the total mass of said at least one modifier is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent of said alloy; where at least 25% of the microstructure of said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material exhibits intermediate range order; a positive electrode; and a separator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrochemical hydrogen storage cell of claim 20, wherein the portion of said microstructure that does not exhibit intermediate range order includes hydrogen storage material further includes a volume fraction of said microstructure polycrystalline inclusions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrochemical hydrogen storage cell of claim 20, wherein the microstructure of said disordered MgNi material provides additional numbers of active sites.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electrochemical hydrogen storage cell of claim 20, wherein said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprises powder particles that are less than 38 microns in size.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrochemical hydrogen storage cell of claim 20, wherein said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprises powder particles around 5-20 microns in size.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrochemical hydrogen storage cell of claim 20, wherein said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprises crystallites that are primarily from 0-70 Å in size.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrochemical hydrogen storage cell of claim 20, wherein said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprises crystallites that are primarily from 20-50 Å in size.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for fabricating a disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising the steps of: rapidly solidifying an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1 to form power particles, where said alloy is modified using at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca where the total mass of said at least one modifier element is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; and mechanically alloying the powder particles of the rapidly solidified melt spun alloy; wherein at least 25% of the microstructure the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy exhibits intermediate range order.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for fabricating a disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising the steps of: rapidly solidifying an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1 to form power particles, where said alloy is modified using at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca where the total mass of said at least one modifier element is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; and mechanically alloying the powder particles of the rapidly solidified melt spun alloy; wherein at least 25% of the microstructure the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy exhibits intermediate range order.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said hydrogen storage material is fabricated the portion of said microstructure that does not exhibit intermediate range order includes polycrystalline inclusions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said step of rapidly solidifying is accomplished using melt spinning.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of etching the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy using an acid etch.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of thermally annealing the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of etching the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy after said alloy has been formed into a negative electrode.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method claim 27, further comprising the step of thermally annealing the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy after said alloy has been formed into a negative electrode.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy comprises powder particles that are from 1-75 microns in size.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy comprises powder particles that are from 5-38 microns in size.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy comprises crystallites that are primarily from 0-70 Å in size.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the rapidly solidified/mechanically alloyed alloy comprises crystallites that are primarily from 20-50 Å in size.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for fabricating a disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising the steps of: rapidly solidifying an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1 modified using at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca where the total mass of said at least one modifier element is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; wherein at least 25% of the rapidly solidified alloy exhibits intermediate range order.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for fabricating a disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising the steps of: rapidly solidifying an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1 modified using at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca where the total mass of said at least one modifier element is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; wherein at least 25% of the rapidly solidified alloy exhibits intermediate range order.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said hydrogen storage material is fabricated such that the portion of said microstructure that does not exhibit intermediate range order includes polycrystalline inclusions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said step of rapidly solidifying is accomplished using melt spinning.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of etching the rapidly solidified alloy using an acid etch.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of thermally annealing the rapidly solidified alloy.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of etching the rapidly solidified alloy after said alloy has been formed into a negative electrode.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of thermally annealing the rapidly solidified alloy after said alloy has been formed into a negative electrode.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 38, where the rapidly solidified alloy comprises powder particles that are less than 38 microns in size.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 38, where the rapidly solidified alloy comprises powder particles that are from 1-75 microns in size.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 38, where the rapidly solidified alloy comprises crystallites that are primarily from 0-70 Å in size.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 38, wherein the rapidly solidified alloy comprises crystallites that are primarily from 20-50 Å in size.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for fabricating a disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising the steps of: mechanically alloying an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1 modified using at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca where the total mass of said at least one modifier element is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; where at 25% of the microstructure of the mechanically alloyed alloy exhibits intermediate range order.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for fabricating a disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising the steps of: mechanically alloying an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1 modified using at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca where the total mass of said at least one modifier element is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; where at 25% of the microstructure of the mechanically alloyed alloy exhibits intermediate range order.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 49, wherein said hydrogen storage material is fabricated such that the portion of said microstructure that does not exhibit intermediate range order includes polycrystalline inclusions.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 49, where said step of mechanically alloying is accomplished using an attritor.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of etching the mechanically alloyed alloy using an acid etch.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of thermally annealing the mechanically alloyed alloy.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of etching the mechanically alloyed powder after said alloy has been formed into a negative electrode.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of thermally annealing the mechanically alloyed alloy using an acid etch after said alloy has been formed into a negative electrode.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 49, where the mechanically alloyed alloy comprises powder particles that are less than 38 microns in size.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 49, where the mechanically alloyed alloy comprises powder particles that are around 5 microns in size.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 49, where the mechanically alloyed alloy comprises crystallites that are primarily from 0-70 Å in size.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 49, where the mechanically alloyed alloy comprises crystallites that are primarily from 20-50 Å in size.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
25 words
A method of activating disordered, multicomponent negative nickel metal hydride electrode material characterized by the step of subjecting said electrode material to an acid etch.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
25 words
A method of activating disordered, multicomponent negative nickel metal hydride electrode material characterized by the step of subjecting said electrode material to an acid etch.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 60, where the disordered, multicomponent electrode material is selected from the group consisting: LaNi 5 -[type]based materials, TiNi-[type]based materials, and MgNi-[type]based materials.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
116 words
A disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising: (Base Alloy).sub.a M.sub.b where, Base Alloy is an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1; M represents at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca; b is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; and a+b=100 atomic percent; and where said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material exhibits intermediate range order, and comprises powder particles that are from 1-75 microns in size.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
116 words
A disordered multicomponent MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising: (Base Alloy).sub.a M.sub.b where, Base Alloy is an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1; M represents at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Mm, Pd, Pt, and Ca; b is greater than 0.5 atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; and a+b=100 atomic percent; and where said disordered MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material exhibits intermediate range order, and comprises powder particles that are from 1-75 microns in size.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 62, wherein said powder particles average from 5-38 microns in size.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
26 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 62, wherein said material comprises amorphous regions, nanocrystallites, and microcrystallites that are from 0-100 Å in size.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
22 words
The MgNi based electrochemical hydrogen storage material of claim 64, wherein said material comprises nanocrystallites that are from 20-100 Å in size.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-31 | 2008-09-30 | 2009-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |