Construction of a novel three-dimensional porous lead-carbon network for improving the reversibility of deep discharge lead-carbon batteries

Abstract

NSCG@PbO composites were synthesized by sol-gel pyrolysis and the reversibility of deep discharge is improved as a negative electrode of lead-carbon battery. • Nano-lead oxide and porous carbon nucleated and grown on the graphene framework. • The unique pore structure creates a three-dimensional porous lead-carbon network. • The PbO and COO have the effect of connecting NAM and inhibiting hydrogen evolution. • It can effectively enhance the reversibility of deep discharge lead-carbon battery. In order to solve the problem that the reversibility of lead-carbon battery becomes worse and worse with the increase of discharge current and discharge depth. Lead-carbon composites (NSCG@PbO, a composite of the nucleation growth of nano-lead oxide and multifunctional porous carbon on graphene framework) were synthesized by sol-gel pyrolysis. As the negative additive of lead-carbon battery, the interface performance of the battery can be optimized. The initial discharge capacity of the cell is 183 mAh g −1 at 0.1 C rate, which is much higher than that of the blank cell (151 mAh g −1 ). It is worth mentioning that the capacity retention rate of unit cell after 600 cycles of deep discharge cycle at 1 C rate is still 50.1%, which is more than 2.5 times of that of pure carbon cell (19.8%). The outstanding performance of NSCG@PbO is the result of the unique three-dimensional porous lead carbon network structure, which restricts the formation of large particle PbSO 4 , effectively increases the porosity of lead-carbon electrode, maintains the electrochemical active surface area of lead-carbon battery. The interface performance between electrode and electrolyte was further improved by PbO and COO functional groups embedded in graphene framework, the hydrogen evolution in the long cycle process is inhibited, and the reversibility of cell deep discharge is enhanced successfully.