Effects of Fatty Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether AEO on PbO 2 Structure and Electrodeposition Behavior

Abstract

© 2016 The Electrochemical Society. In this work, the Ti/PbO 2 anode materials were prepared from nitrate solutions in the presence of fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether AEO to study the effects of AEO on PbO 2 deposition. The phase composition and microstructure of electrode material were characterized by XRD and SEM. The PbO 2 electrodeposition mechanism and electrocrystallization behavior were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), chronoamperometry (CA) and Scharifker-Hills (SH) mechanism. The results indicate that: The material is composed by β-PbO 2 in this case and the growth orientation of the crystal face is changed by AEO; The growth model of PbO 2 crystals is in good agreement with Generalized Electrochemical Aggregative Growth Mechanism; The AEO can improve the morphology of PbO 2 plating, and makes the surface smoother without flaws; The PbO 2 electrodeposition is diffusion-irreversible-controlled process in the presence of AEO; The deposition on substrate is promoted, nevertheless, the further deposition on PbO 2 coating is restrained by AEO; The D0 at each of step potentials, which relates to diffusion coefficient, was improved by AEO revealed variation of solution nature; The electrocrystallization of PbO 2 follows Scharifker-Hills(SH) progressive nucleation/growth mechanism with the oxygen evolution occurring simultaneously, and the AEO increased the number density of active sites but reduced the nucleation rate.