Preparation and characterization of Pb nanoparticles on mesoporous carbon nanostructure for advanced lead-acid battery applications

Abstract

To enhance the electrochemical energy performance, the lead nanoparticles on mesoporous carbon (Pb on MPC) were prepared and characterized for advanced lead acid battery (Ad-LAB) applications. At present, Ad-LAB garners significant attention in energy storage devices because of its high charge acceptance. However, the major problem has associated with the large crystallization of PbSO4 in negative electrode during unit cell operation. To minimize this issue, Pb nanoparticles have incorporated on MPC in this present investigation. The Pb on MPC has prepared through facile chemical reduction process. The structural analysis of Pb, MPC, and Pb on MPC have confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The specific surface area (SSA) and pore size distribution of MPC and Pb on MPC has obtained through Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements. The obtained SSA is 245.38 and 32.42 m2 g−1 for MPC and Pb on MPC, respectively. Additionally, the incorporation of Pb on MPC has confirmed by the microstructural analysis of high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The obtained particle sizes of the Pb nanoparticles are ~5 nm. Based on the structural, microstructural and cyclic voltammetry analysis, we suggest that Pb on MPC can be used as an efficient active material for negative electrode in Ad-LAB systems.