This is a very brief video captured with my cell phone. I will upload a much higher quality video with details shortly.
About three years ago, I charged two commercial 6V lead batteries with Ludox (30% colloidal silica). I did not expect any charging to come about. It did. The batteries never came in contact with aq. sulfuric acid or the 'alum' reported by many researchers. I found the batteries had resting voltages of 2.5 and 3.6V. I charged each at 1.0amp/ 6.5V for 15 minutes each. They were holding a charge. I will bring them up to the nominal voltage which, i expect, to be about 5.35=5.50 V each.
Normally, silica is not expected to be a conductor and it is often a component of cell membranes since it will allow ions to pass through.
Colloidal silica interacts with water strongly and hydrogen bonds to the latter. It also is known to lose protons at the silica surface and thus can be expected to conduct charge which it is. I will be studying depth--of-discharge and performance over a number of cycles. The lead ionic species, of course, are presumably forming silicates on the electrode surfaces and this novel battery electrolyte will be investigated.
Sorry about the video quality but I will upload an acceptable one shortly.
my website: www.batteryscience.us/