Enhanced electrochemical properties of LaFeO₃ with Ni modification for MH-Ni batteries

In this work, we synthesized LaFeO₃-xwt%Ni (x=0, 5, 10, 15) composites via a solid-state reaction method by adding Ni to the reactants, La₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) results revealed that Ni powders evenly dispersed among the LaFeO₃ particles and apparently reduced their aggregation, which imparted the composites with a loose structure. Moreover, the Ni formed a conductive network, thus improving the conductivity of the composites. The maximum discharge capacity of the LaFeO₃ electrodes remarkably increased from 266.8 mAh·g^-1 (x=0) to 339.7 mAh·g^-1 (x=10). In particular, the high-rate dischargeability of the LaFeO₃-10wt%Ni electrode at a discharge current density of 1500 mA·g^-1 reached 54.6%, which was approximately 1.5 times higher than that of the pure LaFeO₃. Such a Ni-modified loose structure not only increased the charge transfer rate on the surface of the LaFeO₃ particles but also enhanced the hydrogen diffusion rate in the bulk LaFeO₃.