REVERSIBLE CAPACITY DECAY OF POSITIVE ELECTRODES IN LEAD ACID CELLS

It is well known that the capacity of the positive electrodes of a lead/acid cell is affected greatly by various processes occurring during battery operation. Some of them result in an irreversible electrode degradation, while others are reversible. This paper discusses the reversible capacity decay (which is closely related to the 'memory effect') for various types of electrodes and batteries. Qualitatively, the same effects have been found with Plante, Faure and tubular electrodes. In situ measurements of the resistance of the active material using the Eloflux technique indicate that the effects are related to changes in the PbO2 structure. The experimental results are qualitatively explained by a recently developed model for the active-material structure.