For the first time, the nickel layer formed during the corrosion of intermetallic alloys with stacked structure has been isolated. This nickel has been produced by chemical dealloying of Y2Ni7 by a corrosion process in alkaline medium. This anisotropic and nanoporous phase has been fully characterized regarding its morphology, chemical and structural properties, as well as its electrochemical behaviour. The metallic phase is made of interconnected nanocrystalline cubic nickel showing preferential orientation and nanopores. A cavity microelectrode has been used complementary to classical methods using bulk electrodes for electrochemical investigations of the layer. This full characterization is of primary importance to better understand the behaviour of metallic anodes in Ni-MH batteries upon cycling and to ensure them longer lifetime.
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