Anodic behaviour of lead in gelled sulphuric acid electrolyte – a cyclic voltammetry study

The anodic behaviour of Pb in gelled sulphuric acid electrolyte has been studied and compared with that in flooded electrolyte using cyclic voltammetry. The oxides formed in both the electrolytes have been examined using X-ray diffraction. It is found that the oxide formation takes place at a less positive potential in gel electrolyte possibly due to the predominant presence of basic sulphates and formation of α-PbO2 in the film. This is substantiated by the X-ray diffraction studies. Consequently the overpotential for evolution of oxygen is also reduce