Hydrogen-absorbing alloy, secondary battery, hybrid car and electromobile

A secondary battery which comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode comprising a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte;

• wherein said hydrogen-absorbing alloy comprises, as a principal phase, at least one kind of phase selected from the group consisting of a first phase having a hexagonal crystal system (excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type crystal structure) and a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal system;
• and said hydrogen-absorbing alloy has a composition represented by the following general formula (1):
• R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-X-Y-αM1XM2YMnα (1)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y);
• T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ti, Zr and Hf;
• M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co and Fe;
• M2 is at least one element selected from'the group consisting of Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Mo, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, b, X, Y, a and Z are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.15≦a≦0.37, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦X≦1.3, 0≦Y≦0.5, 0≦α<0.135, and 2.5≦Z≦4.2.

A hybrid car comprising an electric driving means, and a power source for said electric driving means;

• wherein said power source comprises a secondary battery which comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte;
• and
• wherein said hydrogen-absorbing alloy comprises, as a principal phase, at least one kind of phase selected from the group consisting of a first phase having a hexagonal crystal system (excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type crystal structure) and a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal system;
• and said hydrogen-absorbing alloy has a composition represented by the following general formula (1):
• R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-X-Y-αM1XM2YMnα (1)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y);
• T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ti, Zr and Hf;
• M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co and Fe;
• M2 is at least one element selected from'the group consisting of Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Ho, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, b, X, Y, α and Z are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.15≦a≦0.37, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦X≦1.3, 0≦Y≦0.5, 0≦α≦0.135, and 2.5≦Z≦4.2.

An electromobile comprising a secondary battery as a driving power source;

• wherein said secondary battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte;
• and
• wherein said hydrogen-absorbing alloy comprises, as a principal phase, at least one kind of phase selected from the group consisting of a first phase having a hexagonal crystal system (excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type crystal structure) and a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal system;
• and said hydrogen-absorbing alloy has a composition represented by the following general formula (1):
• R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-X-Y-αM1XM2YMnα (1)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y);
• T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ti, Zr and Hf;
• M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co and Fe;
• M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb;
• W, Mo, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, b, X, Y, α and Z are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.15≦a≦0.37, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦X≦1.3, 0≦Y≦0.5, 0≦α≦0.135, and 2.5≦Z≦4.2.

A hydrogen-absorbing alloy exhibiting less than 0.15 (including 0) in intensity ratio to be calculated according to the following formula (2) and having a composition represented by the following general formula (3):

• I1/I2 (2)
• wherein I2 is an intensity of a peak exhibiting a highest intensity in an X-ray diffraction using CuKα-ray;
• and I1 is an intensity of a peak exhibiting a highest intensity within 2θ of 8 to 13°, θ being Bragg angle, in the X-ray diffraction;
• R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-XM3X (3)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y);
• T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ti, Zr and Hf;
• M3 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Fe, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Mo, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, b, X and Z are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.1≦a≦0.6, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦X≦2, and 2.5≦Z≦4.

A secondary battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte;

• wherein said hydrogen-absorbing alloy exhibits less than 0.15 (including 0) in intensity ratio to be calculated according to the aforementioned formula (2) and has a composition represented by the following general formula (3):
• I1/I2 (2)
• wherein I2 is an intensity of a peak exhibiting a highest intensity in an X-ray diffraction using CuKα-ray;
• and I1 is an intensity of a peak exhibiting a highest intensity within 2θ of 8 to 13°, θ being Bragg angle, in the X-ray diffraction;
• R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-XM3X (3)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y);
• T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ti, Zr and Hf;
• M3 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Fe, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Mo, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, b;
• X and Z are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.1≦a≦0.6, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦X≦2, and 2.5≦Z≦4.

A hybrid car comprising an electric driving means, and a power source for said electric driving means;

• wherein said power source comprises a secondary battery which comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte;
• and
• wherein said hydrogen-absorbing alloy exhibits less than 0.15 (including 0) in intensity ratio to be calculated according to the aforementioned formula (2) and has a composition represented by the following general formula (3):
• I1/I2 (2)
• wherein I2 is an intensity of a peak exhibiting a highest intensity in an X-ray diffraction using CuKα-ray;
• and I1 is an intensity of a peak exhibiting a highest intensity within 20 of 8 to 13°, θ being Bragg angel, in the X-ray diffraction;
• R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-XM3X (3)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y);
• T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ti, Zr and Hf;
• M3 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Fe, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Mo, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, b, X and Z are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.1≦a≦0.6, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦X≦2, and 2.5≦Z≦4.

An electromobile comprising a secondary battery as a driving power source;

• wherein said secondary battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte;
• and
• wherein said hydrogen-absorbing alloy exhibits less than 0.15 (including 0) in intensity ratio to be calculated according to the aforementioned formula (2) and has a composition represented by the following general formula (3):
• I1/I2 (2)
• wherein I2 is an intensity of a peak exhibiting a highest intensity in an X-ray diffraction using CuKα-ray;
• and I1 is an intensity of a peak exhibiting a highest intensity within 2θ of 8 to 13°, θ being Bragg angle, in the X-ray diffraction;
• R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-XM3X (3)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y);
• T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ti, Zr and Hf;
• M3 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Fe, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Mo, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, b, X and Z are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.1≦a≦0.6, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦X≦2, and 2.5≦Z≦4.

A hydrogen-absorbing alloy having a composition represented by the following general formula (4):

• R1-aMgaNiZ-X-YAlXCoYM4α (4)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y) with a proviso that the content of Ce in said R is less than 20% by weight (including 0% by weight);
• M4 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Ti, Zr, In, Mo, V, Cr, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, X, Y, Z and α are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.15≦a≦0.33, 0.06≦X≦0.15, 0≦Y≦0.2, 3.15<Z≦3.55, and 0≦α<0.135.

A secondary battery which comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode comprising a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte;

• wherein said hydrogen-absorbing alloy has a composition represented by the following general formula (4):
• R1-aMgaNiZ-X-YAlXCoYM4α (4)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y) with a proviso that the content of Ce in said R is less than 20% by weight (including 0% by weight);
• M4 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Ti, Zr, In, Mo, V, Cr, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, X, Y, Z and a are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.15≦a≦0.33, 0.06≦X≦0.15, 0≦Y≦0.2, 3.15<Z≦3.55, and 0≦α<0.135.

A hybrid car comprising an electric driving means, and a power source for said electric driving means;

• wherein said power source comprises a secondary battery which comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte;
• and
• wherein said hydrogen-absorbing alloy has a composition represented by the following general formula (4):
• R1-aMgaNiZ-X-YAlXCoYM4α (4)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y) with a proviso that the content of Ce in said R is less than 20% by weight (including 0% by weight);
• M4 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Ti, Zr, In, Mo, V, Cr, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, X, Y, Z and α are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.15≦a≦0.33, 0.06≦X≦0.15, 0≦Y≦0.2, 3.15<Z≦3.55, and 0≦α<0.135.

An electromobile comprising a secondary battery as a driving power source;

• wherein said secondary battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte;
• and
• wherein said hydrogen-absorbing alloy has a composition represented by the following general formula (4):
• R1-aMgaNiZ-X-YAlXCoYM4α (4)
• wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y) with a proviso that the content of Ce in said R is less than 20% by weight (including 0% by weight);
• M4 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Ti, Zr, In, Mo, V, Cr, P and S;
• and the atomic ratios of a, X, Y, Z and α are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of:
• 0.15≦a≦0.33, 0.06≦X≦0.15, 0≦Y≦0.2, 3.15<Z≦3.55, and 0≦α<0.135.