A new process is studied to synthesize the hydrogen storage alloy directly from
its oxides. This method combines the calcium co-reduction and the in situ
dissolution of the by-product CaO into the molten salt. The binary alloy of
30 mol percent Ti-70 mol percent V was chosen as an example. When V2O5
and TiO2 were used as the starting materials, the reduction and alloying
occurred separately in part, because V2O5 was melted below the reaction
temperature and the preferentially reduced metallic V droplets deposited on
TiO2 powder, which hindered the reduction of TiO2. The
well-homogenized alloy could be obtained from the mechanical mixture of
refractive V2O3 and TiO2. The molten CaCl2 was needed to dissolve
CaO for complete reaction. The obtained alloy powder showed capability of
hydrogen storage after activation.