Regeneration of hydrogen storage alloy in spent nickel–metal hydride batteries

The hydrogen storage alloy from spent Ni–MH batteries was regenerated by chemical and smelting method. The alloy regenerated by chemical treatment has the same CaCu5 structure, but the electrochemical capacity is lower than that of the original alloy. When the spent alloy was chemically treated and then smelted by arc-melting, its structure and electrochemical properties could be well recovered. It is found that the discharge properties and lifetime of the regenerated alloy can reach the level of the original alloy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]