Discharge performance of nanostructured PbO2 microspheres as the positive active material

As the positive active material of lead acid battery, microstructure and surface morphology of PbO2 have a strong influence on the electrochemical performance. Nanostructured PbO2 microspheres were prepared by a simple solution method with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a structure-directing agent. The thin positive electrode of lead acid battery was prepared by pressing the nanostructured PbO2 microspheres onto a lead alloy sheet. Furthermore, the as-prepared PbO2 microspheres delivered a discharge capacity of 101.8 mAh/g (45% of active material utilization) and displayed a good cycle life. It is believed that the special morphology plays a vital role in the enhancement of discharge performance.

► Nanostructured PbO2 microspheres were prepared by a simple solution method.
► CTAB acted as a structure-directing agent in the synthetic process.
► The nanostructured PbO2 microspheres showed a good discharge performance.
► Special morphology played a vital role for the good discharge performance.