Active material for electrochemical cell anodes incorporating an additive for precharging/activation thereof

Abstract

A hydrogen storage alloy active material for the negative electrode of an electrochemical cell. The active material includes a hydrogen storage alloy material with a water reactive chemical hydride additive, which, upon utilization of the active material in a negative electrode of an electrochemical cell, gives the negative electrode added benefits, not attainable by using hydrogen storage alloy material alone. These added benefits include 1) precharge of the hydrogen storage material with hydrogen; 2) higher porosity/increased surface area/reduced electrode polarization at high currents; 3) simplified, faster activation of the hydrogen storage alloy; and 4) optionally, enhanced corrosion protection for the hydrogen storage alloy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.