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