Lead-Acid Electrode Paste With Glass Oxides for Acid Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lead-acid batteries face issues with acid stratification and active material degradation, which affect their performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a glass composition comprising at least 25 wt.% of a single metal oxide, such as barium oxide, lead oxide, zinc oxide, or antimony oxide, in the active material paste of lead-acid batteries, combined with lead oxide, to form a precursor that reduces acid stratification and active material degradation by absorbing and retaining electrolyte solution within the active material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lead-acid battery active material paste is used, then the battery can operate, but acid stratification and active material degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces glass composition as an intermediary substance in the active material paste. This glass composition contains specific metal oxides (barium oxide, lead oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, or antimony oxide) that act as mediators to prevent acid stratification. The glass composition absorbs and retains electrolyte solution, maintaining uniform acid distribution throughout the battery operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational functionality and composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite active material paste by combining traditional battery materials with glass composition containing metal oxides. This composite material integrates the functional properties of conventional active materials with the acid-retention properties of glass, resulting in a material that both operates effectively and prevents acid stratification simultaneously.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional active material paste is used, then the battery can be manufactured simply, but active material degradation occurs reducing cycle life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the active material paste by incorporating glass composition with specific metal oxide content (at least 25 wt. % of a single metal oxide). This parameter change in the material composition enhances the durability and cycle life of the battery while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes, thus extending service life without significantly complicating production.
3Reliability
If glass composition with metal oxide is added to active material paste, then acid retention is improved, but manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes glass composition, which is a relatively inexpensive and readily available material, to achieve acid retention. The glass composition serves as a sacrificial or consumable component within the paste that performs its acid-retention function effectively without requiring complex processing or expensive materials, thus improving reliability while minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the retention of acid within the active material, reducing the need for mixing charges and improving the cycle life and capacity of lead-acid batteries by maintaining uniform acid distribution and preventing stratification.
Implementation Method 1
by absorbing and retaining electrolyte solution within the active material
Implementation Method 2
enhances the retention of acid within the active material
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiment described herein, a precursor of an active material of an electrode of a lead-acid battery may be made by a process that includes forming an active material paste and curing the active material paste to form the precursor of the active material of the electrode of the lead-acid battery. The active material paste may be made by combining at least water, an acid, a glass composition having at least 25 wt. % of a single metal oxide, and lead oxide. The metal oxide may be selected from barium oxide, lead oxide, zinc oxide, or antimony oxide.