Effect of carbon black from Ageratina adenophora and various other carbon anode plate additives on the performance of lead acid batteries

Abstract

The incorporation of carbon materials in batteries serves to enhance its performance by improving conductivity, achieving uniform active material distribution, increasing capacity, mitigating sulfation, extending cycle life, and considering potential environmental benefits. Even though several possible mechanisms were reported, how exactly carbon works is not fully understood. In the present study a new form of carbon black was prepared from Ageratina adenophora (CBAa) and investigated for its impact on the electrical conductivity of the negative active material in 2 V lead acid cell. The performance was compared with other commercially available carbons like Graphite PG-10, Carbon N550, Carbon N330 and Carbon Vulcan. The carbon was characterised by XRD, SEM and grain size analysis. The initial capacity of the cell was consistently higher and remained stable at 4.6 W∙h; in the life cycle analysis, the cells showed 290 cycles. The post-life cycle test analysis showed that only a white layer on multiple plates indicating the onset of sulfation and there is no corrosion. The performance of the CBAa prepared in the present work was found to be better when compared with the commercially available carbons.