Activation Effect of Nano-Carbon Derived from CO₂ on Lead Electrode in Sulfuric Aqueous Solution

Authors

Yu-qiao SONG, School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China;
Hua ZHU, School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China;
Guang-jin ZHAO, School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China;
Wen-long WU, Electric Power Research Institute of Henan Electric Power Corporation, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China;
Shou-bin ZHOU, Jiangsu Fu Hua New Technology of Energy Storage co., LTD., Gaoyou , 225600 Jiangsu, China;
Di-hua WANG, School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China;Follow

Corresponding Author

Di-hua WANG(wangdh@whu.edu.cn)

Abstract

Serious sulfation of the negative plate is one of the most popular reasons of the early failure of lead-acid battery. Addition of nano-carbon was proved to be effective for recovering the sulfated electrode and the property of the carbon material always plays an important role. In this work, a new kind of nano-carbon material with high electrical conductivity and good adsorption capability for heavy metal cations, which is electrochemically prepared from CO₂ in molten carbonates, was tested as activation additive for the sulfated lead electrode by cyclic voltammetry and SEM measurements. The results showed that the as-prepared carbon can effectively enhance the activity of the sulphated lead electrode, super to acid-treated acetylene black and carbon nanotubes at the same concentration. No serious hydrogen evolution took place when the concentration of carbon was not higher than 1 g•L^-1. It was also found that its activation effect is strongly dependent of its concentration in the solution. Based on the test results and SEM analysis, a possible activation mechanism of the carbon was proposed. The adsorption of the carbon powder at the surface and interface of the PbSO₄ particles can enhance the conductivity of the electrode, promote the dissolution of the sulfate crystals through its capacity of the absorption of plumbous ions and provide more active site for reduction and oxidation. However, too much adsorbed carbon will block the pathway of ions transportation within the porous electrode. The results suggest that the carbon powder derived from CO₂ could be a new kind of activator for the electrode of lead acid battery.

Graphical Abstract

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.13208/j.electrochem.151123

Publication Date

2016-08-29

Online Available Date

2015-12-25

Revised Date

2015-12-22

Received Date

2015-11-23

Recommended Citation

Yu-qiao SONG, Hua ZHU, Guang-jin ZHAO, Wen-long WU, Shou-bin ZHOU, Di-hua WANG. Activation Effect of Nano-Carbon Derived from CO₂ on Lead Electrode in Sulfuric Aqueous Solution[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2016 , 22(4): 425-432.
DOI: 10.13208/j.electrochem.151123
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol22/iss4/9

References

[1] Kurzweil P. Gaston Planté and his invention of the lead€“acid battery€”The genesis of the first practical rechargeable battery[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195(14):4424€“4434.

[2] Tong P, Zhao R, Zhang R, et al. Characterization of Lead (Ⅱ)-Containing Activated Carbon and Its Excellent Performance of Extending Lead-Acid Battery Cycle Life for High-Rate Partial-State-of-Charge Operation[J].Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 286: 91-102.

[3] Lang X, Wang D, Hu C, et al. The Use of Nanometer Tetrabasic Lead Sulfate as Positive Active Material Additive for Valve Regulated Lead-Acid Battery[J].Journal of Power Sources, 2014, 270: 9-13.

[4] Xu Y, Zhu Y, Han F, et al. 3D Si/C Fiber Paper Electrodes Fabricated Using a Combined Electrospray/Electrospinning Technique for Li‐Ion Batteries[J].Advanced Energy Materials, 2015, 5 (1).

[5] Zou X, Kang Z, Shu D, et al. Effects of Carbon Additives on the Performance of Negative Electrode of Lead-Carbon Battery[J].Electrochimica Acta, 2015, 151: 89-98.

[6] Sawai K, Funato T, Watanabe M, et al. Development of Additives in Negative Active-Material to Suppress Sulfation During High-Rate Partial-State-of-Charge Operation of Lead€“Acid Batteries[J] Journal of power sources, 2006, 158 (2): 1084-1090.

[7] Swogger S W, Everill P, Dubey D, et al. Discrete Carbon Nanotubes Increase Lead Acid Battery Charge Acceptance and Performance[J].Journal of Power Sources, 2014, 261: 55-63.

[8] Sugumaran N, Everill P, Swogger S W, et al. Lead Acid Battery Performance and Cycle Life Increased through Addition of Discrete Carbon Nanotubes to Both Electrodes[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 279: 281-293.

[9] Zhao L, Chen B, Wu J, et al. Study of Electrochemically Active Carbon, Ga₂O₃ and Bi₂O₃ as Negative Additives for Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries Working under High-Rate, Partial-State-of-Charge Conditions[J].Journal of Power Sources, 2014, 248: 1-5.

[10] Kirchev A, Dumenil S, Alias M, et al. Carbon Honeycomb Grids for Advanced Lead-Acid Batteries. Part Ii: Operation of the Negative Plates[J].Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 279: 809-824.

[11] Ba?a P, Micka K, K?ivík P, et al. Study of the Influence of Carbon on the Negative Lead-Acid Battery Electrodes[J].Journal of Power Sources, 2011, 196 (8): 3988-3992.

[12] Moseley P, Nelson R, Hollenkamp A. The Role of Carbon in Valve-Regulated Lead€“Acid Battery Technology[J].Journal of power sources, 2006, 157 (1): 3-10.

[13] Ebner E, Burow D, Panke J, et al. Carbon Blacks for Lead-Acid Batteries in Micro-Hybrid Applications€“Studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2013, 222: 554-560.

[14] Ebner E, Burow D, Börger A, et al. Carbon Blacks for the Extension of the Cycle Life in Flooded Lead Acid Batteries for Micro-Hybrid Applications[J].Journal of Power Sources, 2013, 239: 483-489.

[15] Xiang J, Ding P, Zhang H, et al. Beneficial Effects of Activated Carbon Additives on the Performance of Negative Lead-Acid Battery Electrode for High-Rate Partial-State-of-Charge Operation[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2013, 241: 150-158.

[16] Li XZ(李显忠),Liu Z Q (刘泽泉). Sulphurization and Desulphurization of Lead-acid Battery, Pioneering with Science&Technology Monthly（科技创业月刊）, 2015, (12): 107-109.

[17] Kozawa A, Kawamura T, Sato A, et al. New Colloidal and Organic-Carbon Additives for Lead Acid Batteries[J]. IEEE, 1998: 353-356.

[18]Sheng X（沈贤）,Yang Z S（杨智深）,Cheng S C（陈思彻）, The Electrolyte Additives Containing Carbon Nanotubes: China, CN101136488 [P]2008.

[19]Shengtian RZ(神田荣子), Jinjing H Z（今井浩之）, Baishi Z Y（白石真也）.Electrical enhanced carbon powder and its application: Japan, CN1318209A[P]2001.

[20]Yin H, Mao X, Tang D, et al. Capture and electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to value-added carbon and oxygen by molten salt electrolysis [J], Energy & Environmental Science, 2013, 6:1538-1545

[21]Tang D, Yin H, Mao X, et al. Effects of Applied Voltage and Temperature on the Electrochemical Production of Carbon Powders from CO₂ in Molten Salt with an Inert Anode[J]. Electrochimica Acta, 2013, 114: 567-573

[22]Gao LL, Yin HY, Wang DH. Ionic liquids assisted formation of an oil/water emulsion stabilised by a carbon nanotube/ionic liquid composite layer.[J]. Phys.chem.chem.phys, 2010, 12(11):2535-2540.

[23]Li Y(李阳),Wang DH（汪的华）,Zhao GJ（赵光金）,et al. Investigation of Electrochemical Reactivity of PbSO₄ Paticles Using Powder Microelectrode[J].Journal of Wuhan University（Natural Science Edition）（武汉大学学报（理学版））,2015,61(3):213-218

[24] Pavlov D, Rogachev T, Nikolov P, et al. Mechanism of action of electrochemically active carbons on the processes that take place at the negative plates of lead-acid batteries[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2009, 191(1):58€“75.