ON THE THERMODYNAMICS OF THE AGGLOMERATE-OF-SPHERES MODEL FOR THE PBO2 ELECTRODE

The agglomerate-of-spheres' model concerns the structure of particulat e battery electrodes, in particular the positive lead/acid battery ele ctrode. This model consists of an agglomerate-of-spheres of the active material electrically connected by vase-shaped 'necks'. It has been c laimed that for electrodes made from non-stoichiometric compounds - in particular PbO2 electrodes - there exists a certain combination of ne ck-and-sphere dimensions which, by the way of the non-stoichiometry, i s thermodynamically stable. In the present paper this situation is dis cussed from a rigorous thermodynamic point of view. It is found that n o sphere-neck configuration exists, representing an equilibrium state.