Application of Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolytes in Lead-acid Batteries

• Main Authors: Je-Yi Chen, 陳哲毅
• Other Authors: Te-Chau Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/28044445102263863416

碩士 === 建國科技大學 === 電子工程系暨研究所 === 101 === This study aims to investigate the effect and application of ionic liquid-based electrolytes in lead-acid batteries. Conventional lead-acid batteries mostly utilize dilute sulfuric acid solutions as electrolytes, which are highly toxic and corrosive liquids. In addition, water in conventional electrolytes may be decomposed due to side reaction during the charge and discharge process, hence is likely to be volatile under high-temperature operating conditions, thus, leading to reduction of lead-acid battery life. Moreover, conventional lead-acid battery also suffer from accumulation of lead sulfate at anode during charge/discharge process, which results in further reductions in its activity and life. Ionic liquids (ILs), which mostly composed of a larger organic cation and a smaller inorganic anion, are often in the form of liquid state at room temperature and possess unique electrochemical properties such as high electric conductivity and ionic mobility, high thermal conductivity and thermodynamic stability, extremely low vapor pressure, and broader temperature range of liquid state compared to that of water. Hence, ionic liquids may be ideal candidates for electrolytes in charge/discharge batteries. Herein, we explore the utilization of two different types of ionic liquids, namely [PPSH]HSO4 and [bmim]HSO4, as electrolyte additives in lead-acid battery. Their acidity and effects on charge/discharge properties and potential applications as novel environmental-benign electrolytes in lead-acid battery are evalutated. In view of the much smaller size of home-made lead-acid battery compared to common commercially available products, the charge/discharge texts performed on a potentiostat operating at a low constant current (0.04 A) mode rather than constant voltage mode (commonly at 12 V). Accordingly, the oxidation and reduction properties of proton in these ionic liquid-based electrolytes and the overall performance of the lead-acid battery were assessed.