PbSO4 as a precursor for positive active material electrodes

The present work investigates the use of PbSO4 as a precursor for positive active material (PAM) electrodes. Lead sulphate was prepared by the chemical precipitation of a lead nitrate solution in the presence of sodium sulphate. Tubular electrodes were filled with PbSO4 and oxidized in solutions with different pH. The study is based on X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Thermogravimetry (TG), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The capacity of the different PAM electrodes was also determined. The results show that the pH of the electrolyte affects significantly the average crystallite size, phase composition and PAM capacity.

► Lead sulphate is easy to produce and could be used as precursor for PAM production.
► By adjusting the pH of the electrolyte PAM with controlled phase composition is obtained.
► In alkaline solutions small hydrated nano-sized PbO2 particles are obtained.
► They exhibit high capacity performance.