Studies on a lead–acid cell with electrodeposited lead and lead dioxide electrodes on carbon

Abstract

Performance characteristics of a lead–acid cell with electrodeposited lead and lead dioxide electrodes on carbon are evaluated in aqueous sulfuric acid at concentrations ranging from 1 to 4 M. The discharge capacity is practically independent of the discharge rate within the current range studied (∼1 to 15 mA cm −2). The capacity increases with cycling, possibly due to slow attainment of a ‘spongy’ character for the negative electrode active mass. The capacity also increases with the amount of deposition, reaching a more or less limiting value beyond an optimum deposition. Steady-state discharge behavior, represented by a voltage plateau, shows a nearly Nernstian response, which indicates that the basic electron-transfer processes are quite fast. Experiments involving less than full charge–discharge cycles showed the charging efficiency to pass through a maximum with charging current.