Neste trabalho, avaliou-se inicialmente o efeito da substituição de elementos em ligas à base de LaMgAlMnCoNi do tipo AB5 com adição de estanho (Sn) e cobre (Cu) em substituição ao cobalto (Co), para utilização em ligas absorvedoras de hidrogênio e em eletrodos negativos de baterias de Ni-HM. Avaliou-se a influência desta substituição na microestrutura do material. Notou-se que o aumento da concentração de estanho promove a formação da fase LaNiSn nas ligas, bem como a diminuição das duas fases principais: LaNi5 e (La,Mg)Ni3. Adicionalmente, utilizou-se o refinamento de Rietveld para quantificar as fases em cada composição. Posteriormente, propôs-se um estudo da absorção de hidrogênio. Notou-se que a liga com cobalto apresentou a melhor capacidade de absorção de hidrogênio. Ademais, verificou-se o comportamento destas ligas na capacidade de descarga, estabilidade cíclica e na alta taxa de descarga de baterias de Ni-HM. A maior capacidade de descarga medida foi para a liga de cobalto, atingindo 337,1 mAh/g. Notou-se, posteriormente uma melhora na estabilidade cíclica das baterias com o aumento do teor de cobre. Além disso, observou-se que a alta taxa de descarga apresenta melhores valores com a adição de cobre na composição. Por fim, avaliou-se o efeito da susceptibilidade a corrosão. Notou-se que o estanho promove um aumento na resistência à corrosão das ligas em eletrólito alcalino. / In this work, it has firstly been evaluated the effect of tin (Sn) and copper (Cu) substituting cobalt (Co) in LaMgAlMnCoNi AB5-type alloys for use in hydrogen storage materials and negative electrodes of Ni-MH batteries. The influence of this substitution on the microstructure of these materials has been evaluated. It could be noted that increasing the tin concentration promotes the formation of LaNiSn phase and decrease of two main phases of these alloys: LaNi5 and (La,Mg)Ni3. Additionally, the Rietveld refinement has been evaluated to quantify phases in each composition. Subsequently, it has been proposed a study of the hydrogen absorption in these alloys. It could be observed that the cobalt alloy showed the best hydrogen absorption capacity. Moreover, the behavior of these alloys has been investigated in the discharge capacity, cyclic stability and high rate dischargeability of Ni-MH batteries. The highest discharge capacity has been measured for cobalt alloy, reaching 337.1 mAh/g. It has been noted, further improvement in the cyclic stability batteries with increasing copper content in the alloys. Furthermore, it has been observed that the high rate dischargeability has better values with the addition of copper in the composition. Finally, it has been evaluated the effect of susceptibility to corrosion. It has been noted that tin promotes an increase in corrosion resistance of the alloys in an alkaline electrolyte.

Neste trabalho, avaliou-se inicialmente o efeito da substituição de elementos em ligas à base de LaMgAlMnCoNi do tipo AB5 com adição de estanho (Sn) e cobre (Cu) em substituição ao cobalto (Co), para utilização em ligas absorvedoras de hidrogênio e em eletrodos negativos de baterias de Ni-HM. Avaliou-se a influência desta substituição na microestrutura do material. Notou-se que o aumento da concentração de estanho promove a formação da fase LaNiSn nas ligas, bem como a diminuição das duas fases principais: LaNi5 e (La,Mg)Ni3. Adicionalmente, utilizou-se o refinamento de Rietveld para quantificar as fases em cada composição. Posteriormente, propôs-se um estudo da absorção de hidrogênio. Notou-se que a liga com cobalto apresentou a melhor capacidade de absorção de hidrogênio. Ademais, verificou-se o comportamento destas ligas na capacidade de descarga, estabilidade cíclica e na alta taxa de descarga de baterias de Ni-HM. A maior capacidade de descarga medida foi para a liga de cobalto, atingindo 337,1 mAh/g. Notou-se, posteriormente uma melhora na estabilidade cíclica das baterias com o aumento do teor de cobre. Além disso, observou-se que a alta taxa de descarga apresenta melhores valores com a adição de cobre na composição. Por fim, avaliou-se o efeito da susceptibilidade a corrosão. Notou-se que o estanho promove um aumento na resistência à corrosão das ligas em eletrólito alcalino. / In this work, it has firstly been evaluated the effect of tin (Sn) and copper (Cu) substituting cobalt (Co) in LaMgAlMnCoNi AB5-type alloys for use in hydrogen storage materials and negative electrodes of Ni-MH batteries. The influence of this substitution on the microstructure of these materials has been evaluated. It could be noted that increasing the tin concentration promotes the formation of LaNiSn phase and decrease of two main phases of these alloys: LaNi5 and (La,Mg)Ni3. Additionally, the Rietveld refinement has been evaluated to quantify phases in each composition. Subsequently, it has been proposed a study of the hydrogen absorption in these alloys. It could be observed that the cobalt alloy showed the best hydrogen absorption capacity. Moreover, the behavior of these alloys has been investigated in the discharge capacity, cyclic stability and high rate dischargeability of Ni-MH batteries. The highest discharge capacity has been measured for cobalt alloy, reaching 337.1 mAh/g. It has been noted, further improvement in the cyclic stability batteries with increasing copper content in the alloys. Furthermore, it has been observed that the high rate dischargeability has better values with the addition of copper in the composition. Finally, it has been evaluated the effect of susceptibility to corrosion. It has been noted that tin promotes an increase in corrosion resistance of the alloys in an alkaline electrolyte.

Neste trabalho foi estudado as ligas La0,7-xMgx Pr0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,5Ni3,8 (x = 0 a 0,7) como eletrodo negativo de baterias de níquel - hidreto metálico. A hidrogenação das ligas foi realizada com duas pressões de H2 (2 bar e 10 bar) e temperaturas (ambiente e 500°C). A capacidade de descarga das ba terias de níquel hidreto metálico foram analisadas pelo equipamento de testes elétricos ARBIN BT-4. As ligas, no estado bruto de fusão, foram analisadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS) e difração de Raios-X. Com o aumento da concentração de Mg nas ligas aumenta-se a capacidade de descarga, porém nota-se a diminuição a estabilidade cíclica das baterias. A capacidade de descarga máxima obtida foi para a liga Mg0,7Pr0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,5Ni3,8 (60 mAh) e a bateria que apresentou a melhor performance foi La0,4Mg0,3Pr0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,5Ni3,8 (53 mAh e 150 ciclos). A capacidade de absorção de hidrogênio diminui quando se adiciona Mg, não ocorrendo tal efeito para a liga Mg0,7Pr0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,5Ni3,8. / In this work were studied of La0.7-xMgx Pr0.3Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.5Ni3.8 (x = 0 and 0.7) alloys for negative electrodes of the nickel-metal hydride batteries. The hydrogenation of the alloys was performed varying pressing of H2 (2 and 10 bar) and temperature (room and 500°C). The discharge capacity of the nic kel-metal hydride batteries were analyzed in ARBIN BT- 4 electrical test equipment. The as-cast alloys were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDX) and X-Ray diffraction. The increasing Mg addition in the alloy increases maximum discharge capacity but decrease cycle life of the batteries. The maximum discharge capacity was obtained with the Mg0.7Pr0.3Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.5Ni3.8 alloy (60 mAh) and the battery which presented the best performance was La0.4Mg0.3Pr0.3Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.5Ni3.8 alloy (53 mAh and 150 cycles). The H2 capability of absorption was diminished for increased Mg addition and no such effect occurs for Mg0.7Pr0.3Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.5Ni3.8 alloy.

Neste trabalho foi estudado as ligas La0,7-xMgx Pr0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,5Ni3,8 (x = 0 a 0,7) como eletrodo negativo de baterias de níquel - hidreto metálico. A hidrogenação das ligas foi realizada com duas pressões de H2 (2 bar e 10 bar) e temperaturas (ambiente e 500°C). A capacidade de descarga das ba terias de níquel hidreto metálico foram analisadas pelo equipamento de testes elétricos ARBIN BT-4. As ligas, no estado bruto de fusão, foram analisadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS) e difração de Raios-X. Com o aumento da concentração de Mg nas ligas aumenta-se a capacidade de descarga, porém nota-se a diminuição a estabilidade cíclica das baterias. A capacidade de descarga máxima obtida foi para a liga Mg0,7Pr0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,5Ni3,8 (60 mAh) e a bateria que apresentou a melhor performance foi La0,4Mg0,3Pr0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,5Ni3,8 (53 mAh e 150 ciclos). A capacidade de absorção de hidrogênio diminui quando se adiciona Mg, não ocorrendo tal efeito para a liga Mg0,7Pr0,3Al0,3Mn0,4Co0,5Ni3,8. / In this work were studied of La0.7-xMgx Pr0.3Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.5Ni3.8 (x = 0 and 0.7) alloys for negative electrodes of the nickel-metal hydride batteries. The hydrogenation of the alloys was performed varying pressing of H2 (2 and 10 bar) and temperature (room and 500°C). The discharge capacity of the nic kel-metal hydride batteries were analyzed in ARBIN BT- 4 electrical test equipment. The as-cast alloys were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDX) and X-Ray diffraction. The increasing Mg addition in the alloy increases maximum discharge capacity but decrease cycle life of the batteries. The maximum discharge capacity was obtained with the Mg0.7Pr0.3Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.5Ni3.8 alloy (60 mAh) and the battery which presented the best performance was La0.4Mg0.3Pr0.3Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.5Ni3.8 alloy (53 mAh and 150 cycles). The H2 capability of absorption was diminished for increased Mg addition and no such effect occurs for Mg0.7Pr0.3Al0.3Mn0.4Co0.5Ni3.8 alloy.

LaNi5 (structure type CaCu5) est l'un des composés intermétalliques les plus étudiés pour le stockage de l'hydrogène. Les propriétés d'hydrogénation peuvent être modifiées en substituant le nickel ou le lanthane par d'autres éléments. Un modèle géométrique empirique relie la stabilité de l'hydrure au volume du composé intermétallique ternaire : plus le volume est grand, plus l'hydrure est stable. La substitution par le platine contredit pourtant ce modèle. Nous étudions les effets de la substitution du nickel par des éléments 4d et5d, voisins du platine (M=Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Re, Os, Ir, Au) afin de déterminer l'origine de l'anomalie constatée. Nous avons synthétisé et caractérisé plusieurs composés LaNi5−xMx afin de déterminer la limite de solubilité de l'élément M dans la phase type CaCu5, ainsi que la nature des phases avoisinantes dans les diagrammes de phases ternaires. Ces éléments modifient fortement les propriétés d'hydrogénation. Comme dans le cas du platine, les substituants étudiés contredisent le modèle géométrique. Afin d'apporter des éléments de réponse à ces anomalies, le système LaNi5−xPdx-D2 est étudié par diffraction de neutrons in situ, ce qui permet la détermination du diagramme de phases LaNi5−xPdx-D2. Les structures cristallographiques des hydrures sont caractérisées : une mise en ordre des atomes métalliques et/ou de deutérium conduit à la formation de différentes surstructures. L'origine de l'anomalie est également recherchée à travers la structure électronique des composés et de leurs hydrures. Une étude théorique par calculs ab initio est ainsi menée en accord avec les résultats expérimentaux. La déstabilisation des hydrures s'explique par la forte stabilisation du composé intermétallique ternaire.

<p>Energy is one of the basic needs of human beings and is extremely crucial for continued development of human life. Our work, leisure and our economic, social and physical welfare all depend on the sufficient, uninterrupted supply of energy. Therefore, it is essential to provide adequate and affordable energy for improving human welfare and raising living standards. Global concern over environmental climate change linked to fossil fuel consumption has increased pressure to generate power from renewable sources [1]. Although substantial advances in renewable energy technologies have been made, significant challenges remain in developing integrated renewable energy systems due primarily to mismatch between load demand and source capabilities [2]. The output from renewable energy sources such as photo-voltaic, wind, tidal, and micro-hydro fluctuate on an hourly, daily, and seasonal basis. As a result, these devices are not well suited for directly powering loads that require a uniform and uninterrupted supply of input energy.</p>

<p>Energy is one of the basic needs of human beings and is extremely crucial for continued development of human life. Our work, leisure and our economic, social and physical welfare all depend on the sufficient, uninterrupted supply of energy. Therefore, it is essential to provide adequate and affordable energy for improving human welfare and raising living standards. Global concern over environmental climate change linked to fossil fuel consumption has increased pressure to generate power from renewable sources [1]. Although substantial advances in renewable energy technologies have been made, significant challenges remain in developing integrated renewable energy systems due primarily to mismatch between load demand and source capabilities [2]. The output from renewable energy sources such as photo-voltaic, wind, tidal, and micro-hydro fluctuate on an hourly, daily, and seasonal basis. As a result, these devices are not well suited for directly powering loads that require a uniform and uninterrupted supply of input energy.</p>

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Energy is one of the basic needs of human beings and is extremely crucial for continued development of human life. Our work, leisure and our economic, social and physical welfare all depend on the sufficient, uninterrupted supply of energy. Therefore, it is essential to provide adequate and affordable energy for improving human welfare and raising living standards. Global concern over environmental climate change linked to fossil fuel consumption has increased pressure to generate power from renewable sources [1]. Although substantial advances in renewable energy technologies have been made, significant challenges remain in developing integrated renewable energy systems due primarily to mismatch between load demand and source capabilities [2]. The output from renewable energy sources such as photo-voltaic, wind, tidal, and micro-hydro fluctuate on an hourly, daily, and seasonal basis. As a result, these devices are not well suited for directly powering loads that require a uniform and uninterrupted supply of input energy. / South Africa