Lead acid battery: alternatives of carbon materials as current collector

• Grant number: 22/10542-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: November 01, 2022
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Evaldo Jose Corat
• Grantee: Camila Alves Escanio
• Supervisor: Cora Lind-Kovacs
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Toledo (UT), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/08473-1 - Development of carbon nanotubes supercapacitors for applications in lead-acid battery, BP.DD

Abstract

The development of efficient energy storage devices capable of meeting the demands of new applications in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage has gained great prominence in the world. In this context, lead-acid batteries are highly sought after because they have an excellent cost-benefit ratio and high sustainability. However, the lead-acid system has some limitations as high weight, sulfation effects on the negative plate, and low dynamic charge acceptance. To minimize the drawbacks of this system, different forms of carbon are studied as additives in negative plates to reduce weight, improve efficiency and provide longer battery life when used in PSoC (Partial State of Charge) conditions. This project aims to use a carbon fiber (CF) composite covered with a conductive material (Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, Polyaniline) doped with nitrogen and coated with lead (Pb) for use as current collectors on the negative plate of the lead-acid battery. The properties such as the high mechanical strength of carbon fiber and the high electrical conductivity of Carbon Nanotubes/Graphene/Polyaniline associated with the low weight of the composite can make this material a promising alternative for use as a battery grid. Furthermore, the nitrogen doping of the composite can significantly reduce the effects of hydrogen evolution. Besides, the presence of lead can improve the adhesion between the Negative Active Mass (NAM) and the composite. The Carbon Fiber/Conductor/Lead (CF/conductor/Pb) composite will be prepared at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Toledo. And its performance as the current collector in the lead-acid battery will be evaluated at Argonne National Laboratory. (AU)