INFLUENCE OF ANTIMONY ON THE ELECTROCHEMICAL-BEHAVIOR AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE LEAD DIOXIDE ACTIVE MASS OF LEAD-ACID-BATTERIES

The effect of antimony on the formation of the skeleton structure of t ubular electrodes filled with lead dioxide active mass (PAM) is invest igated. Antimony is added as ions to the solution, as Sb2O3 Or Sb2O5 t o PAM, or as an additive to the electrode spine alloy. The effect of a ntimony on the crystallinity of PAM particles and agglomerates is exam ined. It is established that antimony increases the capacity of tubula r powder electrodes when added either to the alloy or as antimony oxid e to the PAM. It accelerates the processes of formation of the PAM ske leton structure and decreases the crystallinity of PAM particles and a gglomerates. These effects of antimony are explained based on the conc ept of a gel-crystal structure for the PAM. Antimony improves the elec tron conductivity of gel zones. Its effect depends on the type and val ency of the antimony ions, and on the density of the PAM.