Effects of HNO₃ Concentration on the Electrochemical Behaviour of Lead

Summary.

 The voltammogram of lead in nitric acid shows two well-defined anodic waves during the positive potential sweep. Upon reverse scanning, a wide current plateau followed by a cathodic peak associated with a shoulder at extreme negative potentials is observed. The overall behaviour was found to be quite complicated, and no simple relation between various variables like peak currents, peak potentials, and electrolyte concentrations could be found. The implications of these results with respect to the mechanisms of the electrode reactions are discussed.