Effects of electrochemically active carbon and indium (Ⅲ) oxide in negative plates on cycle performance of valve-regulated lead-acid batteries during high-rate partial-state-of-charge operation

摘要

In order to inhibit sulfation and hydrogen evolution of the negative plates and to prolong the cycle life of valve-regulated lead-acid batteries for hybrid-electric vehicles, electrochemically active carbon (EAC) and Indium (Ⅲ) oxide (In_2O_3) are added into negative active materials of valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. The influences of EAC and In_2O_3 on the cycle performance of valve-regulated lead-acid batteries are investigated under high-rate partial-state-of-charge conditions. Experiment results indicate that addition of EAC in negative active materials can prolong the high-rate partial-state-of-charge cycle performance of valve-regulated lead-acid batteries, whilst it results in the accelerated evolution rate of hydrogen during charge process. It is also observed that EAC with an appropriate amount of In_2O_3 can effectively increase the overpotential of hydrogen evolution, which can not only produce the decreased hydrogen evolution rate and promote conversion of PbSO_4 to Pb in capacity recovery process, but also prolong the high-rate partial-state-of-charge cycle life of valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. The battery added with 0.5% EAC and 0.02% In_2O_3 in negative active materials exhibits at least four times longer cycle life than that without In_2O_3.