Electrochemical performance of the 18650 lithium-ion batteries consisting lithium-rich layered oxides 0.5Li2MnO3·0.5LiMn0.33Ni0.33Co0.33O2 cathode material and soft carbon anode is investigated in detail. The cathode is synthesized by a spray drying process and the properties are studied by various methods, while the soft carbon is commercial available. The assembled batteries can exhibit excellent cyclic performance with a capacity retention of 90.2% even after 600 cycles in the voltage ranges of 2.0-4.5 V (at 1C-rate). Moreover, they can also deliver excellent rate capabilities as the discharge capacity under 40C is nearly equal to 83.9% of that under 1C (voltage range is in 2.0-4.5 V). Furthermore, in order to evaluate the mechanism of the superior performance exhibited by the full cells, cells after 300 cycles are disassembled in a glove box to assess the changes on the active materials by using a series of technique methods, including a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), High-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED).

The effect of the rare earth element lanthanum (La) on the microstructure of lead–calcium grid alloys was studied by the metallographic microscope. A comparison of the electrochemical corrosion behavior of the new and traditional grid alloys was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), A.C. impedance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to study the surface morphology of anodic films of Pb–Ca–Sn–Al–Re alloys formed in sulfuric acid solution at 1.3 and 0.9 V for 2 h. The morphology of the corrosion layer was analyzed by SEM after the constant current corrosion test. The results show that an appropriate content of La can effectively (1) increase the fineness of the grain of Pb–Ca–Sn–Al alloys, (2) increase the growth of PbO2 film, and (3) make the anodic film formed at 1.3 V become fine and compact. Alloys with contents of 0.01 wt.%, 0.03 wt.% and 0.1 wt.% La were shown satisfactory results. La also can decrease the growth of Pb(II) film, purify and increase the density of the anodic film at 0.9 V, especially for La content of 0.03 wt.% and 0.1 wt.%. Moreover, La can improve the corrosion resistance of Pb–Ca–Sn–Al alloys, particularly for a La content of 0.01 wt.%.Highlights► We have prepared a novel Pb–Ca–Sn–Al–La alloy, the fineness of the grain was increased by La. ► The La to Pb–Ca–Sn–Al alloy can increase the growth of PbO2, fine and compact anodic film at 1.3 V. ► The La can decrease the growth of Pb(II) at 0.9 V, clear and increase the density of the anodic film. ► La can increase the growth of dendritic crystals, improve the corrosion resistance of Pb–Ca–Sn–Al alloys.

In the past 15 years, the center of the international lead market has shifted to China. China has become the largest producer of raw and refined lead, plus the largest consumer. This paper reviews the status of the lead and lead-acid battery industries in China, including lead mining, lead refining, secondary lead production, the lead-acid battery industry, new opportunities for lead-acid batteries, and the environmental problems associated with lead and lead-acid batteries. The output of raw and refined lead has increased annually in China, and now accounts for more than 30% of the world total. As a result of a change in the Chinese government's policy regarding the export of lead, plus an increase in the price of lead, the profits of Chinese lead manufacturers were significantly reduced, the trade deficit of the Chinese lead industry increased, the operating rates of lead smelter enterprises greatly reduced, and some small enterprises were forced to shut down. At the present time, an increasing number of enterprises have begun to produce secondary lead, and the scale of production has expanded from tens of tons to tens of thousands of tons. In 2006, the output of secondary lead in China reached 700,000 tons, but outdated technology and equipment limited development of the secondary lead industry. Because of serious pollution problems, raw material shortages, and fierce price competition in the battery market, changes in the development of the lead-acid battery industry have been dramatic; approximately one thousand medium-sized and small lead-acid battery producers have been closed in the past 3 years. The output of large lead-acid battery enterprises has not been reduced, however, as a result of their manufacturing technology and equipment being comparable to those in other advanced industrial countries. In China, the flourishing development of electric bicycles, electric tricycles, and photovoltaic energy systems should provide ongoing opportunities for the lead-acid battery industry.

The effects of three types of fumed silica on the electrochemical properties of gelled electrolytes have been investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) technique. The CV and EIS results show that a moderate mechanical dispersion of fumed silica in the H2SO4 solution has important effects on the electrochemical properties of the gelled electrolyte. The optimal mechanical dispersion time is closely related to the operating temperature during preparation of gel, as well as the silica particle size and its distribution. A high stirring rate improves the electrode capacity and decreases the viscosity of the gelled electrolyte. With moderate mechanical dispersion, gelled electrolytes prepared from different fumed silica particles exhibit equal electrode capacities.