Physicochemical properties of electrodepositedβ-lead dioxide: Effect of deposition current density

Abstract

The influence of current density on the coulometric efficiency of β-PbO₂ deposition in 0.5 M cM lead nitrate, the nonstoichiometry, impurity of α-PbO₂ and voltammetric double layer capacitance have been studied. While the coulometric efficiency is about 95% at current densities less than 30 mA cm⁻², it decreases at higher current densities. The oxygen deficiency, δ, in β-PbO_2-δ has been found to be invariant with the current density. X-ray diffraction studies provide a linear decrease in the weight percent of α-PbO₂ as an impurity in the β-PbO₂ with increase in current density, and the α-PbO₂ is found to be absent at 100mA cm⁻² or higher. The estimated double layer capacitance from the cyclic voltammograms recorded in the potential range 0.70–1.10V, increases with deposition current density, indicating enhanced surface area.