Operando analysis of the positive active mass of lead batteries by neutron diffraction

Published

January 30, 2024

Author(s)

Miguel Rodriuqez-Goemz, Javier Campo, Aloida Orera, Fernando de La Fuente, Jesus Valenciano, Holger Fricke, Yan Chen, Ke An, Daniel Hussey, Angel Larrea

Abstract

We have analysed, through neutron diffraction experiments with the volume-gauge technique, the in operando performance of lead cells composed of industrial positive and negative electrodes, previously tank formed in the manufacturing plant. The cells, 6.5 cm x 11.5 cm in surface, comprised a 3.4 mm thick positive electrode sandwiched between two 2.3 mm thick negative electrodes. The electrolyte was sulphuric acid diluted in water, both deuterated, and the separators were industrial grade absorbent glass mat (AGM). The experiments, carried out at the VULCAN instrument of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (TN, USA), showed the evolution of -PbO2, -PbO2 and PbSO4 phases in the positive active mass during charge/discharge cycling, comparing the behaviour of fresh and cycled cells. No evidence of PbSO4 phase in fully charged plates or PbO in any state of charge were found above 1% by weight. Significant inhomogeneity of phase distribution and transition rates inside the positive electrode was observed. The experiments allowed to estimate energy efficiency by comparing the external energy provided to the cell with the energy stored in the PbSO4 to PbO2 transformation inside the positive electrode.

Citation

Nature Energy

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

lead battery, operando measurement, neutron scattering, electrochemical energy storage and conversion

Citation

Rodriuqez-Goemz, M. , Campo, J. , Orera, A. , de La Fuente, F. , Valenciano, J. , Fricke, H. , Chen, Y. , An, K. , Hussey, D. and Larrea, A. (2024), Operando analysis of the positive active mass of lead batteries by neutron diffraction, Nature Energy, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=956355 (Accessed December 11, 2024)