On the impedance of the gassing reactions in lead-acid batteries

Oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions in flooded lead-acid batteries during float charging were studied by galvanostatic steady-state polarization and impedance spectroscopy techniques. Given the very low relaxation frequencies of such processes (between 2 and 0.05 mHz), impedance measurements needed to be extended to the ultra-low frequency domain. Investigation of their dynamic behavior provided a complete description of the porous character of the active zone. The steps involved in the reaction mechanisms are also discussed.