Study of Graphene as a Negative Additive for Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries Working under High-Rate Partial-State- Of-Charge Conditions

摘要

To extend the applications of graphene and improve the cyclic life of valve-regulated lead acid(VRLA) batteries applied in hybrid electric vehicles, graphene has been added to negative activematerials of the VRLA batteries. The influence of graphene on the negative electrodes of valve- regulated lead-acid batteries during high-rate partial-state-of-charge cycling has been investigated bygalvanostatic charge/discharge tests, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and cyclicvoltammetry. Results suggest that the addition of graphene in negative materials can diminish thecharge cut-off voltage, boost the discharge cut-off voltage and improve the cyclic life of the VRLAbatteries in high-rate partial-state-of-charge cycling. The superior electrochemical performance couldbe ascribed to the inhibition effect of graphene on the growth of lead sulfate. Therefore, graphene canbe a promising negative additive for VRLA batteries.