Low-cost synthesis and utilization in mini-tubular electrodes of nano PbO2

The aim of this work was to explore the possibility of using nano PbO2 in commercial type tubular lead-acid battery positive electrodes. In that prospect, nanosized alpha PbO2 and beta PbO2 have been synthesized at room temperature by a low-cost solution technique involving the chemical oxidation of lead nitrate with ammonium persulfate in concentrated alkaline medium. Mini-tubular electrodes were then prepared using the same type of gauntlet as the one used in commercial tubular electrodes. We show that the capacity and the cycling stability of the tubular electrode highly depend on the sulfuric acid concentration in the electrolyte and on the lead dioxide surface area. A percentage of utilization higher than 45% of the active mass with an excellent cycling stability was obtained when our nano beta PbO2 was used as active material in a diluted H2SO4 electrolyte. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.