Development of additives in negative active-material to suppress sulfation during high-rate partial-state-of-charge operation of lead–acid batteries

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 158; no. 2; pp. 1084 - 1090
• Main Authors: Sawai, Ken, Funato, Takayuki, Watanabe, Masashi, Wada, Hidetoshi, Nakamura, Kenji, Shiomi, Masaaki, Osumi, Shigeharu
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 25.08.2006; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Barium sulfate; Carbon; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; High-rate partial-state-of-charge; Lead–acid battery; Negative active-material; Synthetic lignin; Negative active-material; Lead–acid battery; Synthetic lignin; Carbon; High-rate partial-state-of-charge; Barium sulfate; Lead acid batteries; Service life; Particle size; Secondary cell; Life test; Sulfatation; Lead-acid battery; Additive; Lead sulfate; State of charge; Carbon fiber
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.01.096

Additives in the negative active-material of lead–acid batteries were examined to determine whether they could prevent progressive accumulation of lead sulfate (PbSO 4) in negative plates during high-rate partial-state-of-charge (HRPSoC) operation. This phenomenon is caused by progressive growth of PbSO 4 particles and a lack of conductive paths near these PbSO 4 particles. Barium sulfate (BaSO 4) particles in various sizes and synthetic lignin were added to the negative active-material to control PbSO 4 particle size during HRPSoC cycle-life. Some types of carbon fibres were also added to form conductive paths around the PbSO 4 particles. Synthetic lignin was found to be the most effective additive for improving battery life in HRPSoC cycle-life tests, whereas the other factors such as BaSO 4 size or carbon fibre extended less influence. The growth rate of PbSO 4 particles per cycle was much lower in a cell with synthetic lignin than in a cell with natural lignin.