Gelled electrolytes for use in absorptive glass mat valve-regulated lead-acid (AGM VRLA) batteries working under 100% depth of discharge conditions

摘要

Gelled electrolytes prepared from fumed silica for use in absorptive glass mat valve-regulated lead-acid (AGM VRLA) batteries and the effect of veratraldehyde addition on the electrochemical behavior and performance of AGM VRLA batteries are investigated. Cyclic voltammetry is used to investigate differences in the electrochemical behaviors of nongelled and gelled electrolytes and between gelled electrolytes with and without veratraldehyde. Battery performance is tested under 100% depth of discharge (100% DoD) conditions at both low- (0.1 C) and high- (1 C) rate discharges. The addition of silica or veratraldehyde does not affect the main reaction of the lead-acid batteries but tends to suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction. AGM VRLA batteries with gelled electrolytes have a higher discharge capacity and longer cycle life than the conventional nongel AGM VRLA batteries. The addition of 0.005% (w/v) veratraldehyde further improves battery performance, but higher (0.01%, w/v) veratraldehyde concentrations reduce it and correlate with the enhanced growth of lead sulfate crystals. The AGM VRLA battery prepared from a gelled electrolyte containing 0.005% (w/v) veratraldehyde provides the best battery performance in every operating temperature studied (0-60 C).