Driving Innovation in Lead Batteries: The Focus of the …
725
to water and air exposure. In depth exploration of the surface and through thickness
of lead battery, electrodes have been conducted through a combination of electron
microscopy of mounted, aged lead battery cross sections using microprobe analysis
[24]. Intense light sources utilized in synchrotron beamlines offer the ability to penetrate millimeters through a lead battery electrode. New information regarding the
morphology of PbSO 4 during discharge is beginning to provide key insights into the
effect of additives on the preferred growth faces of the orthorhombic (Pnma, 62).
Highly polar faces, such as the <111> and <101>, grow rapidly in PbSO 4 facilitating
dendritic growth processes responsible for electrical shorts in later stages of battery
life [26].
The synchrotron-facilitate high-energy X-ray experiments provide key structural
insight into nucleation processes and morphology changes due to different additives.
The high penetration depth and array of X-ray techniques allow for intensive study of
lead battery electrodes during operation, overcoming negative and false information
observed in ex situ studies. Multiple techniques have been employed to not only look
at the crystal behavior of the electrodes, but also the kinetics of the growth processes
and the extensive electrochemical changes present in lead batteries [24]. Visualizing
the growth processes have also been studied by in situ liquid TEM in electrochemical
conditions and in situ ICP-MS combined with rotating disk electrode configuration.
Regan et al. utilized LQ-TEM experiments to visualize dendritic growth of Pb in
negative electrodes in micron and nanometer regimes. This study yielded unprecedented observations on the behavior of harmful Pb dendrites during discharge and
charge [27]. Uncontrolled PbSO 4 crystal growth is the main progenerate to failure
modes in the positive and negative electrodes, utilizing techniques that observe these
processes in a native environment at crucial to inhibiting these failure modes.
Conclusion
Lead batteries have been constantly improving to fit societies’ performance needs
in automotive and utility grid applications. CBI has created attainable performance
enhancement goals based on new research pathways for lead batteries. Lead batteries provide high sustainability and reliable energy storage, and offer unique advantages when compared to other electrochemical storage technologies, such as Li-ion.
Inhibiting failure modes must occur to prolong battery life, and a higher understanding of the crystal growth and dissolution process and the electrochemical kinetics is
yielding definitive information to be used in the next generation of advanced lead
batteries. Failure modes such as positive paste shedding and negative sulfation can
be engineered to occur at a slower rate, once there is a stronger grasp of the preferred
crystal faces for dissolution and growth in PbSO 4 in lead battery electrodes. The
lead battery industry has introduced a league of advancements to push lead battery
performance further and further advancements are underway.
725
to water and air exposure. In depth exploration of the surface and through thickness
of lead battery, electrodes have been conducted through a combination of electron
microscopy of mounted, aged lead battery cross sections using microprobe analysis
[24]. Intense light sources utilized in synchrotron beamlines offer the ability to penetrate millimeters through a lead battery electrode. New information regarding the
morphology of PbSO 4 during discharge is beginning to provide key insights into the
effect of additives on the preferred growth faces of the orthorhombic (Pnma, 62).
Highly polar faces, such as the <111> and <101>, grow rapidly in PbSO 4 facilitating
dendritic growth processes responsible for electrical shorts in later stages of battery
life [26].
The synchrotron-facilitate high-energy X-ray experiments provide key structural
insight into nucleation processes and morphology changes due to different additives.
The high penetration depth and array of X-ray techniques allow for intensive study of
lead battery electrodes during operation, overcoming negative and false information
observed in ex situ studies. Multiple techniques have been employed to not only look
at the crystal behavior of the electrodes, but also the kinetics of the growth processes
and the extensive electrochemical changes present in lead batteries [24]. Visualizing
the growth processes have also been studied by in situ liquid TEM in electrochemical
conditions and in situ ICP-MS combined with rotating disk electrode configuration.
Regan et al. utilized LQ-TEM experiments to visualize dendritic growth of Pb in
negative electrodes in micron and nanometer regimes. This study yielded unprecedented observations on the behavior of harmful Pb dendrites during discharge and
charge [27]. Uncontrolled PbSO 4 crystal growth is the main progenerate to failure
modes in the positive and negative electrodes, utilizing techniques that observe these
processes in a native environment at crucial to inhibiting these failure modes.
Conclusion
Lead batteries have been constantly improving to fit societies’ performance needs
in automotive and utility grid applications. CBI has created attainable performance
enhancement goals based on new research pathways for lead batteries. Lead batteries provide high sustainability and reliable energy storage, and offer unique advantages when compared to other electrochemical storage technologies, such as Li-ion.
Inhibiting failure modes must occur to prolong battery life, and a higher understanding of the crystal growth and dissolution process and the electrochemical kinetics is
yielding definitive information to be used in the next generation of advanced lead
batteries. Failure modes such as positive paste shedding and negative sulfation can
be engineered to occur at a slower rate, once there is a stronger grasp of the preferred
crystal faces for dissolution and growth in PbSO 4 in lead battery electrodes. The
lead battery industry has introduced a league of advancements to push lead battery
performance further and further advancements are underway.