Development of carbon nanotubes supercapacitors for applications in lead-acid battery

• Grant number: 19/08473-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2019
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Evaldo Jose Corat
• Grantee: Camila Alves Escanio
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovações (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/15857-1 - Scientific studies and innovation application on CVD diamond, DLC and carbon nanostructures obtained by chemical vapor deposition technique, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/10542-4 - Lead acid battery: alternatives of carbon materials as current collector, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

Efficient energy storage to meet new applications demands, as electric vehicles and renewable energy, has gained a major focus around the world. In this context, a highly targeted one is the lead-acid battery because they are cost-effective and have high sustainability. They represent the only almost totally recyclable energy storage system. The aeronautical industry highly rated Lead-acid batteries because they are safer. Lithium-ion batteries, despite their good performance, can cause fires at high temperatures. However, these batteries have limitations such as sulfation effects and low dynamic load acceptance caused by high loading and unloading cycles. To minimize or solve their drawbacks, literature shows different carbon forms studied as additives in negative plate materials. Carbon mixed in negative plate enhances efficiency and offer greater battery life when used in PSoC (Partial State of Charge) conditions. This project proposes carbon nanotubes and / or graphene deposition on a graphite substrate with later functionalization in oxygen / nitrogen plasma. From our experience with such a method, this improves wettability and add functional groups to modulate and inhibit hydrogen evolution phenomenon at battery's potential. Finally, the lead material deposition will concentrate in increasing surface area, capacitance and reactive availability. The study provides basic studies on electrochemical cells of 3 and 2 electrodes and the construction of prototype batteries for comparative tests. (AU)