Electrodeposition of lead dioxide from methanesulfonate solutions

Lead dioxide electrodeposition from methanesulfonic media and physicochemical properties of the resulting oxide were studied in this work to improve anodic process at PbO(2)/Pb(2+) electrode of How battery. The presence of methanesulfonate ions in the electrodeposition solution causes only a quantitative difference in the PbO(2) electrodeposition process without apparently changing the reaction mechanism. In methanesulfonic media PbO(2) electrodeposition rate is higher than in nitrate solutions. Current efficiency of PbO(2) formation depends on electrode potential (or deposition current density), electrolyte composition (concentration of Pb(2+) and methanesulfonate ions), hydrodynamic conditions, pH and temperature of the solution. It is important to note that thick PbO(2) coatings (up to 2 mm) with good mechanical properties and adhesion to the substrate can be deposited in a wide range of current density (2-100 mA cm(-2)). (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.