Effect of curing on positive-plate behaviour in electric scooter lead/acid cells

This study investigates how curing temperature affects the composition and material structure of lead/acid positive plates. According to experimental results, the major morphology in positive active-material crystals is tribasic lead sulfate (= 3BS) at a low temperature and tetrabasic lead sulfate (= 4BS) at a high curing temperature (> 65 degrees C). Obviously, different curing conditions influence heavily electrode composition and cell performance. A driving pattern is developed for an electric scooter (ES) driving pattern according to urban driving pattern conditions (CNS-D3029). Three groups of cells with different curing temperatures (45, 65 and 85 degrees C) are subjected to two test methods: standard cycle testing, and ES-driving pattern cycle testing. The results demonstrate that the plates cured at the higher temperature contain less initial capacity but have a longer cycle life under both test conditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.