Review on the research of failure modes and mechanism for lead-acid batteries

Abstract

Summary The lead–acid battery (LAB) has been one of the main secondary electrochemical power sources with wide application in various fields (transport vehicles, telecommunications, information technologies, etc.). It has won a dominating position in energy storage and load‐leveling applications. However, the failure of LAB becomes the key barrier for its further development and application. Therefore, understanding the failure modes and mechanism of LAB is of great significance. The failure modes of LAB mainly include two aspects: failure of the positive electrode and negative electrode. The degradations of active material and grid corrosion are the two major failure modes for positive electrode, while the irreversible sulfation is the most common failure mode for the negative electrode. Introduction of carbon materials to the negative electrodes of LAB could suppress sulfation problem and enhance the battery performance efficiently. This paper will attempt here to pull together observations made by previous research to obtain a more comprehensive and integrative view of LAB failure modes. Moreover, according to a detail investigation to the battery market, we have drawn an objective and optimistic conclusion of LAB prospect. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

High-performance porous lead/graphite composite electrode for bipolar lead-acid batteries

“…The positive active material utilization rate can reach 34% at 0.25 C, and it was higher than the traditional lead-acid battery [24]. And there was also no significant different in the specific capacity and cycle life of the modified experimental leadacid battery without adding any additives [25][26][27][28][29]. From Figure 1, it is suggested that the diffusion of the electrolyte in the active material only carries out in one direction for bipolar leadacid battery.…”

“…Above all, compared with the traditional lead-acid batteries, the electrochemical performances of the active material in the equivalent 4-mm thickness with the novel composite bipolar electrode were still very superior. And there was also no significant different in the specific capacity and cycle life of the modified experimental leadacid battery without adding any additives [25][26][27][28][29].…”

Monitoring dynamic electrochemical processes with in situ ptychography

“…In particular, lack of control over morphology and chemical-state distribution during electrodeposition is the key factor giving rise to damaging of electrodes, electrolytes and separators, ultimately resulting in capacity fade and mechanical failures (Finegan et al 2015;Yang et al 2017;Jin et al 2017). Novel materials and better battery management protocols are being systematically introduced, leading to some progress in the efficiency and reliability of electrochemical energy storage devices.…”

Causal tree analysis for quality control of the lead acid battery manufacturing process

“…The corrosion phenomenon is generated by the overcharging, and the poor cohesion of the active mass is due to the cycling, which leads to a significant change in the active mass morphology. [3][4][5] Recognizing these degradations, the research community of the lead acid battery presents considerable efforts concerning the operation mode to make it more efficient and available. 6,7 Despite these efforts, the battery still exhibits low performances because of the poor manufacturing quality.…”

“…8 The battery performance parameters (capacity and lifetime) are mainly predetermined by the composition and the crystal structure of the active mass during the plate manufacturing. It is identified that the noncohesion of active mass depends on the paste proprieties such as its phase composition (1BS: PbO·PbSO 4 ; 3BS: 3PbO·PbSO 4 ·H 2 O; 4BS: 4PbO·PbSO 4 ), density, and crystal morphology. 9 It is known also that the active mass obtained from 4BS cured positive paste has a longer lifetime than that obtained by 3BS cured positive paste.…”