One of the most important properties of lead–acid batteries is the capacity or the amount of energy stored in a battery (Ah). This is an important property for batteries used in stationary applications, for example, in photovoltaic systems as well as for automotive applications as the main power supply.
Wide differences in cycle performance may be experienced with two types of deep cycle batteries and therefore the cycle life and DOD of various deep-cycle batteries should be compared. A lead acid battery consists of electrodes of lead oxide and lead are immersed in a solution of weak sulfuric acid.
Potential problems encountered in lead acid batteries include: Gassing: Evolution of hydrogen and oxygen gas. Gassing of the battery leads to safety problems and to water loss from the electrolyte. The water loss increases the maintenance requirements of the battery since the water must periodically be checked and replaced.
As low-cost and safe aqueous battery systems, lead-acid batteries have carved out a dominant position for a long time since 1859 and still occupy more than half of the global battery market [3, 4]. However, traditional lead-acid batteries usually suffer from low energy density, limited lifespan, and toxicity of lead [5, 6].
Normally, as the lead–acid batteries discharge, lead sulfate crystals are formed on the plates. Then during charging, a reversed electrochemical reaction takes place to decompose lead sulfate back to lead on the negative electrode and lead oxide on the positive electrode.
However, lead–acid batteries have inferior performance compared to other secondary battery systems based on specific energy (only up to 30 Wh/kg), cycle life, and temperature performance. The low-energy density limits the use of lead–acid batteries to stationary and wheeled (SLI) applications.
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The lead–acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery first invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté. It is the first type of rechargeable battery ever created. Compared to modern rechargeable batteries, lead–acid batteries have relatively low energy density. Despite this, they are able to supply high surge currents. These features, along with their low cost, make them attractive for u…