Non-destructive analysis of Pb-acid battery positive plates, based on neutron tomography

• Published in: JPhys Energy 2024-01, Vol.6 (1), p.15006
• Main Authors: Bozzini, Benedetto, Cazzanti, Silvia, Hippoliti, Raimondo, Kis, Zoltán, Rovatti, Ludovica, Tavola, Francesco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: corrosion; Degradation; Lead acid batteries; Medical imaging; Morphology; neutron tomography; Nondestructive testing; Pb-acid battery; Position sensing; positive plate; Tomography; Two dimensional analysis; X-ray radiography
• ISSN: 2515-7655; 2515-7655
• DOI: 10.1088/2515-7655/ad0b89

Notwithstanding the in-depth understanding of lead-acid battery degradation processes developed in a time-honored field of science, there is still wide scope for knowledge-based technological advancements, in particular, targeting positive plate (PP) durability. Non-destructive imaging of the internal morphology, structure and chemistry of these components, enabled by neutron-based methods, is capable of disclosing otherwise inaccessible observables, that can form the factual basis for new pathways to device improvement. In this study, we propose a post mortem investigation of as-formed and electrochemically aged PPs, centered on neutron tomography and complemented by x-ray radiography and scanning-electron microscopy. These complementary imaging methods, thriving on different contrast mechanisms, allow 2D/3D position-sensitive morphological analyses of the nature and evolution of the positive active material (PAM) and of the spines of the PP, including: morphology variation, crack location, porosity distribution and identification of hydrogenated compounds. Specifically, in this work, we have pinpointed the differences in degradation modes—resulting from the application of a standard ageing protocol—of PPs fabricated in two technologically alternative ways: punching and gravity-casting, showing the superiority of the formed in terms of electrode stability upon charging abuse conditions.