One disadvantage of deep cycle flooded lead-acid batteries is increasing water loss caused by use of (+) Pb-Sb / () Pb-Sb alloy grid. Water loss is generated by the emission of hydrogen gas from the () electrode during battery charging. In this paper, we maintain cycle life aspect through the development of hybrid flooded lead-acid batteries to which a (+) Pb- Sb / () Pb-Ca grid is applied and deal with the improvement of water loss. The amount of water loss compared to that of the () Pb-Sb grid decreased when Ca was added to the () Pb grid. For the () Pb-Ca grid, it was confirmed that the time to reach 0.0 V, at which water decomposition occurs, was increased compared to that of the () Pb-Sb grid at the NPV (Negative Potential Voltage). In the cycle life test conducted with the BCI (Battery Council International) standard, compared to the (+) Pb-Ca grid, the (+) Pb-Sb grid increased the life cycle of the batteries and the (+) Pb-Ca grid showed an early end of life due to PbO corrosion layer generation, as determined through SEM / EDS and Tear Down analysis. In conclusion, by addition of Sb to (+) Pb grid and Ca to () Pb grid, we developed a hybrid flooded lead-acid battery that meets user requirements to improve water loss characteristics and preserve cycle life characteristics.

To cope with automobile exhaust gas regulations, ISG (Idling Stop & Go) and charging control systems are applied to HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) for the purpose of improving fuel economy. These systems require quick charge/discharge performance at high current. To satisfy this characteristic, improvement of the positive electrode plate is studied to improve the charge/discharge process and performance of AGM(Absorbent Glass Mat) lead-acid batteries applied to ISG automotive systems. The bonding between grid and A.M (Active Material) can be improved by applying the Sand-Blasting method to provide roughness to the surface of the positive grid. When the Sand-Blasting method is applied with conditions of ball speed 1,000 rpm and conveyor speed 5 M/min, ideal bonding is achieved between grid and A.M. The positive plate of each condition is applied to the AGM LAB (Absorbent Glass Mat Lead Acid Battery); then, the performance and ISG life characteristics are tested by the vehicle battery test method. In CCA, which evaluates the starting performance at -18 oC and 30 oC with high current, the advanced AGM LAB improves about 25 %. At 0 oC CA (Charge Acceptance), the initial charging current of the advanced AGM LAB increases about 25 %. Improving the bonding between the grid and A.M. by roughening the grid surface improves the flow of current and lowers the resistance, which is considered to have a significant effect on the high current charging/discharging area. In a Standard of Battery Association of Japan (SBA) S0101 test, after 300 A discharge, the voltage of the advanced AGM LAB with the Sand-Blasting method grid was 0.059 V higher than that of untreated grid. As the cycle progresses, the gap widens to 0.13 V at the point of 10,800 cycles. As the bonding between grid and A.M. increases through the Sand Blasting method, the slope of the discharge voltage declines gradually as the cycle progresses, showing excellent battery life characteristics. It is believed that system will exhibit excellent characteristics in the vehicle environment of the ISG system, in which charge/discharge occurs over a short time.

The performance characteristics of a lead acid battery are investigated with the content of Sodium Perborate Tetrahydrate (SPT, NaBO3·4H2O) in a positive plate active material. SPT, which reacts with water to form hydrogen peroxide, is applied as an additive in the positive plate active material to increase adhesion between the substrate (positive plate) and the active material; this phenomenon is caused by a chemical reaction on the surface of substrate. A positive plate with the increasing content of SPT is prepared to compare its properties. It is confirmed that the oxide layer increases at the interface between the substrate and the active material with increasing content of SPT; this is proven to be an oxide layer through EDS analysis. Battery performance is confirmed: when SPT content is 2.0 wt%, the charging acceptance and high rate discharge properties are improved. In addition, the lifetime performance according to the Standard of Battery Association of Japan (SBA) S0101 test is improved with increasing content of SPT.

CeO2 nanoparticles, employed in a lot of fields due to their excellent oxidation and reduction properties, are synthesized through a solvothermal process, and a high specific surface area is shown by controlling, among various process parameters in the solvothermal process, the type of solvent. The synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles are about 11~13 nm in the crystallite size and their specific surface area is about 65.38~84.65 m2/g, depending on the amount of ethanol contained in the solvent for the solvothermal process; all synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles shows a fluorite structure. The dispersibility and microstructure of the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles are investigated according to the species of dispersant and the pH value of the solution; an improvement in dispersibility is shown with the addition of dispersants and control of the pH. Various dispersing properties appear according to the dispersant species and pH in the solution with the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles, indicating that improved dispersing properties in the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles can be secured by applying dispersant and pH control simultaneously.