Applications of carbon in lead-acid batteries: a review

Long-Life Lead-Carbon Batteries for Stationary Energy Storage Applications

Owing to the mature technology, natural abundance of raw materials, high recycling efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and high safety of lead-acid batteries (LABs) have received much more attention from large to medium energy storage systems for many years. Lead carbon batteries (LCBs) offer exceptional performance at the high-rate partial state of charge (HRPSoC) and higher charge acceptance than LAB, making them promising for hybrid electric vehicles and stationary energy storage applications. Despite that, adding carbon to the negative active electrode considerably enhances the electrochemical performance. However, carbon brings some adverse effects, such as the severe hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in the NAM due to the low overpotential of carbon material, promoting severe water loss in LCBs. From a practical application point of view, the irreversible sulfation of the negative active material (NAM) and extreme shedding and softening of the positive active material (PAM) are the main obstacles for next-generation LCBs. Recently, a lead-carbon composite additive delayed the parasitic hydrogen evolution and eliminated the sulfation problem, ensuring a long life of LCBs for practical aspects. This comprehensive review outlines a brief developmental historical background of LAB, its shifting towards LCB, the failure mode of LAB, and possible potential solutions to tackle the failure problems. The detailed LCB's development towards long life was discussed in light of the reported literature to guide the researcher to date progress. More emphasis was directed toward the new applications of LCBs for stationary energy storage applications. Finally, state-of-the-art progress and further research gaps were pointed out for future work in this exciting era.

Enhanced cycle life of starter lighting ignition (SLI) type lead-acid batteries with electrolyte modified by ionic liquid

The aim of the presented work was to improve the lifetime of lead-acid SLI (starting, lighting and ignition) batteries through electrolyte modification with ionic liquids. The conducted research included the synthesis and determination of the influence of di(hexadecyldimethylammonium) and di(octadecyldimethylammonium) sulphates on the basic parameters (capacity, cranking performance) of the starter battery as well as parameters affecting its lifetime (dynamic charge acceptance, corrosion, water consumption). It has been shown that the addition of these compounds increases corrosion resistance and reduces water consumption, resulting in an increase in cyclic durability by up to 36%. The improvement is associated with the absorption of ionic liquid molecules into the mass of lead(ii) sulphate, which was confirmed by physicochemical and electrochemical studies.

Novel Graphene oxide-Polyethylene Glycol mono-4-nonylphenyl Ether adsorbent for solid phase extraction of Pb2+ in blood and water samples

A novel and efficient Graphene Oxide-Polyethylene Glycol mono-4-nonylphenyl Ether (GO-PEGPE) nanocomposite was synthesized and used for solid phase extraction of trace levels of Pb²⁺ in different water and blood samples. The synthesized adsorbent was then characterized by the Fourier Transform-Infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR), Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). To optimize the critical parameters including pH of samples solution, amounts of adsorbent and extraction time, the response surface methodology based on the central composite design (RSM-CCD) was used and based on the results, pH = 6.0, extraction time = 22 min and amounts of adsorbent = 15 mg were selected as the optimum conditions. The relative standard deviation based on seven replicate analysis of 2 µg L^-1 Pb²⁺ was 5.2% and the limit of detection was 0.023 µg L^-1 (n = 8). The results of adsorption isotherm investigation show that the adsorption of Pb²⁺ onto the GO-PEGPE nanocomposite obeyed by the Langmuir isotherm with the maximum adsorption capacity of 69.44 mg g^-1. Also, based on the Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR) isotherms, the adsorption of Pb²⁺ onto the GO-PEGPE nanocomposite is a physisorption phenomenon and the consequences of the kinetic models illustrated that the adsorption of Pb²⁺ followed by the pseudo second order adsorption kinetic model. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for preconcentration of Pb²⁺ in different water and blood samples of turning industry workers.

Rechargeable Batteries for Grid Scale Energy Storage

Ever-increasing global energy consumption has driven the development of renewable energy technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) with high electrochemical performance are critical for enabling renewable yet intermittent sources of energy such as solar and wind. In recent years, numerous new battery technologies have been achieved and showed great potential for grid scale energy storage (GSES) applications. However, their practical applications have been greatly impeded due to the gap between the breakthroughs achieved in research laboratories and the industrial applications. In addition, various complex applications call for different battery performances. Matching of diverse batteries to various applications is required to promote practical energy storage research achievement. This review provides in-depth discussion and comprehensive consideration in the battery research field for GSES. The overall requirements of battery technologies for practical applications with key parameters are systematically analyzed by generating standards and measures for GSES. We also discuss recent progress and existing challenges for some representative battery technologies with great promise for GSES, including metal-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, molten-salt batteries, alkaline batteries, redox-flow batteries, metal-air batteries, and hydrogen-gas batteries. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of bringing emerging battery technologies from academia to industry. Our perspectives on the future development of batteries for GSES applications are provided.

Increasing the oxygen-containing functional groups of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes to improve high-rate-partial-state-of-charge performance

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different oxygen functional groups were prepared from hot nitric acid reflux treatment. The acid-treated MWCNTs (a-MWCNTs) were introduced to negative active materials (NAMs) of lead-acid batteries (LABs) and the high-rate-partial-state-of-charge (HRPSoC) performance of the LABs was evaluated. A-MWCNTs with high quantities of carboxylic (COO-) and carbonyl (C[double bond, length as m-dash]O) functional groups significantly improve the lead sulfate (PbSO4) reduction to lead (Pb) and thereby improve HRPSoC cycle life. The addition of a-MWCNTs to NAMs is helpful for the formation of larger crystals of ternary lead sulfate (3BS). The improved LABs performance is due to the formation of a sponge crisscrossed rod-like structure at the negative plate in the presence of a-MWCNTs. This unique channels structure is conducive to the diffusion of the electrolyte into the negative plate and delays the PbSO4 accumulation during HRPSoC cycles. The HRPSoC cycle life with a-MWCNTs is significantly prolonged up to the longest cycles of 39 580 from 19 712. In conclusion, oxygen-containing groups on the a-MWCNTs showed significant influence on the curing process and forming process and then improved HRPSoC performance.

Description of Acid Battery Operating Parameters

In this paper, the operating principles of the acid battery and its features are discussed. The results of voltage tests containing the measurements conducted at the terminals of a loaded battery under constant load conditions, and dependent on time, are presented. The article depicts the principles of the development of electric models of acid batteries and their various descriptions. The principles for processing the results for the purpose of the determination and description of the battery model are characterized. The characteristics under stationary and non-stationary conditions are specified using glued functions and linear combinations of exponential functions, and the electrical parameters of the battery are determined as the components of the circuit, i.e., its electromotive force, resistance, and capacity. The dynamic characteristic of the battery in the form of transmittance was determined, using the Laplace transform. Possible uses of the crankshaft driving signals as diagnostic signals of the battery, electric starter, and internal combustion engine are also indicated.

Applications of Carbon in Rechargeable Electrochemical Power Sources: A Review

Rechargeable power sources are an essential element of large-scale energy systems based on renewable energy sources. One of the major challenges in rechargeable battery research is the development of electrode materials with good performance and low cost. Carbon-based materials have a wide range of properties, high electrical conductivity, and overall stability during cycling, making them suitable materials for batteries, including stationary and large-scale systems. This review summarizes the latest progress on materials based on elemental carbon for modern rechargeable electrochemical power sources, such as commonly used lead–acid and lithium-ion batteries. Use of carbon in promising technologies (lithium–sulfur, sodium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors) is also described. Carbon is a key element leading to more efficient energy storage in these power sources. The applications, modifications, possible bio-sources, and basic properties of carbon materials, as well as recent developments, are described in detail. Carbon materials presented in the review include nanomaterials (e.g., nanotubes, graphene) and composite materials with metals and their compounds.

Controlling the corrosion and hydrogen gas liberation inside lead-acid battery via PANI/Cu-Pp/CNTs nanocomposite coating

The liberation of hydrogen gas and corrosion of negative plate (Pb) inside lead-acid batteries are the most serious threats on the battery performance. The present study focuses on the development of a new nanocomposite coating that preserves the Pb plate properties in an acidic battery electrolyte. This composite composed of polyaniline conductive polymer, Cu-Porphyrin and carbon nanotubes (PANI/Cu-Pp/CNTs). The structure and morphology of PANI/Cu-Pp/CNTs composite are detected using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Based on the H₂ gas evolution measurements and Tafels curves, the coated Pb (PANI/Cu-Pp/CNTs) has a high resistance against the liberation of hydrogen gas and corrosion. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results confirm the suppression of the H₂ gas evolution by using coated Pb (PANI/Cu-Pp/CNTs). The coated Pb (PANI/Cu-Pp/CNTs) increases the cycle performance of lead-acid battery compared to the Pb electrode with no composite.

Lignin-based dual component additives as effective electrode material for energy management systems

A functional PbO-lignin electrode hydrid material composite was designed and manufactured. Moreover, its connection efficiency was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We noted that the superficial layers of PbO combined with layers of the biopolymer and that oxygen atoms present in both materials had influence on the chemical environment of the neighboring compound. Hence, it can be said that the addition of PbO significantly contributes to the improvement of thermal stability of the final inorganic-organic system. In the framework of the study, the dispersive, morphological and structural characteristics were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser diffraction method. Electrochemical studies indicated that the PbO-lignin material exhibits better electrochemical properties compared to PbO without the addition of kraft lignin (increased capacitance, lower charge transfer resistance), as the specific capacitance after 5000 charge/discharge cycles was still at 95% of the initial value. Such promising operating parameters show that this material can be successfully used as an electrode material for energy management systems.

A Comprehensive Review on Energy Storage Systems: Types, Comparison, Current Scenario, Applications, Barriers, and Potential Solutions, Policies, and Future Prospects

Driven by global concerns about the climate and the environment, the world is opting for renewable energy sources (RESs), such as wind and solar. However, RESs suffer from the discredit of intermittency, for which energy storage systems (ESSs) are gaining popularity worldwide. Surplus energy obtained from RESs can be stored in several ways, and later utilized during periods of intermittencies or shortages. The idea of storing excess energy is not new, and numerous researches have been conducted to adorn this idea with innovations and improvements. This review is a humble attempt to assemble all the available knowledge on ESSs to benefit novice researchers in this field. This paper covers all core concepts of ESSs, including its evolution, elaborate classification, their comparison, the current scenario, applications, business models, environmental impacts, policies, barriers and probable solutions, and future prospects. This elaborate discussion on energy storage systems will act as a reliable reference and a framework for future developments in this field. Any future progress regarding ESSs will find this paper a helpful document wherein all necessary information has been assembled.

Battery Technologies for Grid-Level Large-Scale Electrical Energy Storage

Grid-level large-scale electrical energy storage (GLEES) is an essential approach for balancing the supply–demand of electricity generation, distribution, and usage. Compared with conventional energy storage methods, battery technologies are desirable energy storage devices for GLEES due to their easy modularization, rapid response, flexible installation, and short construction cycles. In general, battery energy storage technologies are expected to meet the requirements of GLEES such as peak shaving and load leveling, voltage and frequency regulation, and emergency response, which are highlighted in this perspective. Furthermore, several types of battery technologies, including lead–acid, nickel–cadmium, nickel–metal hydride, sodium–sulfur, lithium-ion, and flow batteries, are discussed in detail for the application of GLEES. Moreover, some possible developing directions to facilitate efforts in this area are presented to establish a perspective on battery technology, provide a road map for guiding future studies, and promote the commercial application of batteries for GLEES.