International Journal of Modern Science and Technology · ISSN 2456-0235

Research Article · Chemical Sciences · Volume 10, Issue 1 · Jun 2025 · Pages 17–24

Characterization and Formation of Rare Earth (Ce) – Transition metal (Ni) alloy by Reduction-Diffusion Process

Ilayaraja Marimuthu, Jayajothi kallimuthu, Mahendran Gurusamy, Karthikeyan Shanmugam

  • Ilayaraja Marimuthu: Department of Petrochemical Technology, SSM College of Engineering, Komaraplayam, Namakkal, Dt., Tamil Nadu
  • Jayajothi kallimuthu: Department of Petrochemical Technology, Mahendra Institute of Engineering and Technology, Namakkal Dt., Tamil Nadu.
  • Mahendran Gurusamy: Department of Petrochemical Technology, RVS College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
  • Karthikeyan Shanmugam: Department of Petrochemical Technology, SSM College of Engineering, Komaraplayam, Namakkal, Dt., Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Cerium Nickel alloy (CeNi5 ) alloy is the energy storage material, which was produced from its ores directly. The reduction-diffusion process was a new method and less expensive method of formation of rare earth –transition metal alloy compounds from its ore directly. The thermodynamic and kinetics feasible conditions for CeNi5 by reduction – diffusion method in Ce-Ni-Ca system were evaluated. The shrinking unreacted core model (SUCM) theory was used to explain the reduction-diffusion process in which the diffusion is confirmed as rate controlling step. The CeNi5 phase was confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction techniques. The morphology structure of particles and chemical composition of Ce-Ni alloy have been examined by Scanning Electron Microscope technique (SEM) and EDAX technique respectively. The apparent activation energy of CeNi5 was approximately 40 kJ/mol.

Keywords

Shrinking Unreacted Core model theory; Reduction-diffusion process; CeO2-Ca-Co

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