Enhanced cycle performance and lifetime estimation of lead-acid batteries

Abstract

Lead-acid batteries are preferred for energy storage applications because of their operational safety and low cost. However, the cycling performance of positive electrode is substantially compromised because of fast capacity decay caused by softening and shedding of the positive active material (PAM). The additives of PAM are considered as promising candidates to improve the cycling performance of a PbO₂ electrode. In this study, SnSO₄ and Sb₂O₃ are selected as additives to form positive plates. The incorporation of SnSO₄ (0.1 wt%) and Sb₂O₃ (0.1 wt%) not only provides high porosity of PAM for ion and H₂O transportation, but also offers larger reaction area during electrochemical processes. Therefore, excellent cycling performances are achieved at 40% and 60% depth of discharge (DoD). Meanwhile, the index of reaction depth (IRD), a parameter reflecting the state of a battery, is also obtained, and the IRD measurements can be used to predict the capabilities for cycling performances of lead-acid batteries.