Influence of phytic acid on corrosion behavior and charge-discharge processes of Pb-2%In alloy anode for lead-acid battery applications

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of phytic acid on the corrosion behavior and charge-discharge processes of Pb-2 %In alloy, which is commonly used as an anode material in lead-acid batteries. Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, as well charge-discharge technique were utilized to conduct investigation both in the absence as well exist of phytic acid (PA) as an inhibitor. In addition, utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques were carried out for further investigations. Results obtained indicated that PA is an efficient inhibitor for Pb-2 % In as anode in 4 M H2SO4 solution. The inhibitory effectiveness (η%) for Pb-2 % In alloy rises with a rising dose of PA and also rises with rising temperature. The lead acid battery's anode was well enhanced due to the highest inhibition efficiency (≈ 97.3 %), which has been attained in the existence of 1 × 10−3 M of PA inhibitor in 4 M H2SO4 at a temperature of 35 °C. The presence of an adsorbed film from PA was confirmed by SEM studies of the electrode exterior side. One might conclude that an increase in inhibitory effect η% with temperature is an indication that inhibitor molecules are being chemically deposited on the exterior side of Pb-2 %In alloy. DFT data confirms the suggested action of PA towards the inhibition effect and enhancement of the charge-discharge performance of the studied alloy. These findings shed light on the potential of utilizing phytic acid as an effective additive for Pb-2 %In alloy anodes in lead-acid battery applications.