The α-PbO2 deposition layers were prepared on the surface of A1/Pb substrates by constant current electrosynthesis from an alkaline bath, and A1/Pb/α-PbO2 composite inert anode materials were obtained. The effects of the bath composition and bath temperature on the electrosynthesis of α-PbO2 were investigated by means of anodic polarization method, the phase structures and surface microstructures of AI/Pb and α-PbO2 deposition layers were tested by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The experimental data have shown that the process of α-PbO2 formation have several stages. The appropriate conditions can effectively improve the formation rate of α-PbO2 and avoid the occurrence of oxygen evolution reaction. The α-PbO2 deposition layer obtained in alkaline bath possesses rhombic structure, and it is composed of well developed spherical unit cells.
Al/conductive coating/α-Pb O2-Ce O2-Ti O2/β-PbO 2-MnO 2-WC-Zr O2 composite electrode material was prepared on Al/conductive coating/α-PbO 2-Ce O2-Ti O2 substrate by electrochemical oxidation co-deposition technique. The effects of current density on the chemical composition, electrocatalytic activity, and stability of the composite anode material were investigated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDXS), anode polarization curves, quasi-stationary polarization(Tafel) curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and X-ray diffraction(XRD). Results reveal that the composite electrode obtained at 1 A/dm2 possesses the lowest overpotential(0.610 V at 500 A/m2) for oxygen evolution, the best electrocatalytic activity, the longest service life(360 h at 40 °C in 150 g/L H2SO4 solution under 2 A/cm2), and the lowest cell voltage(2.75 V at 500 A/m2). Furthermore, with increasing current density, the coating exhibits grain growth and the decrease of content of Mn O2. Only a slight effect on crystalline structure is observed.