Preparations and performances testing of α/β-PbO2 phase compositions prepared in methanesulfonic acid in order to provide more appropriate environmentally sustainable electrodes

Abstract

In the present work, sixty-four sample electrodes were separately generated by electrodeposition in methanesulfonic acid (MSA) solutions. The concentrations of the lead (II) methanesulfonate and MSA were compared, as well as the effect of current density and temperature were investigated. The surface characterizations were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). All conditions were researched to make sure the precise conditions of obtaining relative pure α/β-PbO2 phase compositions. Based on this, long-period galvanostatic electrolysis was performed by means of cyclic voltammograms (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel curves in order to evaluate the effect of different ratios of α/β-PbO2 phases on the corrosion resistance and electrocatalytic activity of the electrodes. The conclusion of this research can help confirm an ideal ratio of α/β-PbO2 phase compositions in Pb-0.6%Sb/α-PbO2/β-PbO2 composite anodes, thus show better prospective application in zinc electrowinning.