Preparation of Co-B Alloy with the Assistance of the Sonication and its Electrochemical Properties

In order to enhance the electrochemical properties of Co-B alloys used as negative electrode materials of alkaline rechargeable batteries, Co-B alloy was successfully prepared by a chemical reduction method with the assistance of the sonication. The phase structure and the surface morphology of the as-prepared Co-B alloys were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen physisorption. Moreover, the electrochemical performance was characterized by galvonostatic charge-discharge tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and anodic polarization (AP). Co-B alloy prepared with the assistance of the sonication consists of small particles with a uniform distribution. The electrochemical measurements showed that at a discharge current density of 100 mA/g, the initial discharge capacity was 858.1 mAh/g and the discharge capacity was 322.6 mA/g even at the 100th cycle with the capacity retention of 37.6%.