Lead Alloy Positive Electrode Suppressing Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lead storage batteries face issues with electrode growth and reduced performance when the thickness of the lead layer is reduced, leading to potential disconnection and separation of active materials, due to lack of strength and volume expansion of lead oxide.
Innovation Solution
A lead alloy with specific compositions, including 0.4-2% tin, 0.004% bismuth, and optional calcium and silver, is used to form a lead layer with reduced Cube orientation {001} diffraction intensity, enhancing adhesion and strength, thereby preventing electrode growth and maintaining high battery capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the thickness of the lead layer for positive electrode is reduced to efficiently use internal volume, then battery capacity and space utilization are improved, but the lead layer lacks strength and is prone to growth and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the lead alloy by controlling tin content (0.01-2 mass%) and bismuth content (0.001-0.01 mass%), which fundamentally alters the material properties to achieve both thinness and strength simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite lead alloy material combining lead with specific amounts of tin and bismuth, where the synergistic effect of these elements provides enhanced mechanical strength and corrosion resistance at reduced thickness
2Weight of stationary object
If the lead layer thickness is reduced, then battery size and weight are reduced, but electrode growth occurs due to volume expansion of lead oxide from corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the alloy composition parameters to include controlled amounts of tin and bismuth, which change the electrochemical properties to reduce corrosion rate and minimize lead oxide volume expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of corrosion into a beneficial outcome by using tin and bismuth to control the corrosion process, forming protective oxide layers that actually protect the underlying lead layer from excessive growth
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional lead alloys are used with reduced thickness, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but active material separates from the lead layer and battery performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the alloy composition parameters to achieve optimal adhesion between active material and lead layer, ensuring reliable bonding while maintaining simple manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different compositional characteristics at the interface between lead layer and active material, creating enhanced local adhesion properties where needed while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity
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
The lead alloy effectively suppresses electrode growth, maintains high battery capacity, and prevents performance deterioration, allowing for thinner lead layers and increased active material usage, resulting in improved battery performance and reduced size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
The diffraction intensity of a cube orientation {001} in a pole figure created by analyzing the surface by an X-ray diffraction method is 4 times or less the diffraction intensity of a random orientation in a pole figure created by analyzing a pure lead powder by the X-ray diffraction method
Implementation Method 2
the diffraction intensity of a cube orientation {001} in a pole figure created by analyzing the surface by an X-ray diffraction method is 4 times or less the diffraction intensity of a random orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A lead alloy is described that is capable of manufacturing a positive electrode for a lead storage battery with a reduced likelihood of causing growth. The lead alloy contains 0.4% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less of tin and 0.004% by mass or less of bismuth, with the balance being lead and inevitable impurities. The diffraction intensity of a Cube orientation {001} <100> in a pole figure created by analyzing the surface of the lead alloy by an X-ray diffraction method is 4 times or less the diffraction intensity of a random orientation in a pole figure created by analyzing a pure lead powder by the X-ray diffraction method.