Battery Durability Assessment and Repurposing as Second-Life Batteries for Renewable Energy

This study investigates the impact of cycling on lead-acid batteries to repurpose them as second-life batteries. An electrical system controlled by a microcontroller was developed to manage the charging and discharging of the batteries. A comparative analysis was conducted between cycled and new batteries, explicitly focusing on the effects of continuous charging on the battery materials. Chemical and electron microscope analyses were performed to identify the factors contributing to cycled batteries’ reduced life span. The results revealed that the cycled battery electrodes, particularly in Cell D, exhibited increased weight due to the accumulation of trapped PbSO4. Additionally, a layer of lead oxide (PbO) hindered acid regeneration in the cycled batteries. In contrast, the electrodes of new batteries displayed a porous surface consisting of lead dioxide (PbO2) and adhered grains, which indicated the presence of lead sulfate (PbSO4). These findings emphasize the significance of enhancing recharging conditions and electrode regeneration processes to improve battery performance and life span.