Simple and effective modification of absorbed glass mat separator through atmospheric plasma treatment for practical use in AGM lead-acid battery applications

Abstract

Simple and effective modification method of commercial AGM using atmospheric plasma etching was reported for practical use in AGM battery applications. In order to enhance electrical performance and durability by improving degree of absorption of AGM for electrolyte solution, plasma-treated AGMs, AGM-X-Y, were fabricated by adjusting RF power and treatment time. In general, BET surface area and the degree of adsorption for electrolyte solution of plasma-treated AGMs increased with increase of RF power and plasma treatment time. However, on the contrary, too high RF power and long treatment time disturbed improvement of various properties, which would stem from smoothing of fiber surface and hydrophobic change by etching gas. The AGM-200-10 separator, which was treated with RF power of 200 W for 10 min, showed outstanding BET specific surface area (1.96 m2/g) and adsorption property (1.27 g/cc) for electrolyte. Moreover, AGM battery single cell with the AGM-200-10 separator showed much better electrical performance and durability in charge-discharge operation test under accelerated conditions, which should indicate the feasibility of the AGM-200-10 separator for practical use.