Electrochemical Synthesis of PbO2, Pb3O4 and PbO Films on a Transparent Conducting Substrate

Through electroplating and thermal decomposition by annealing at various temperatures in an oxygen environment, films of PbO2, Pb3O4 and PbO have been synthesised on transparent conducting substrates of indium tin oxide coated glass. Of these films, Pb3O4, α-PbO and β-PbO have a phase pure crystal structure. These films are formed as either nano-scale particles or complete films depending on the electroplating conditions. The complete films demonstrate excellent surface coverage with a thickness of the order of a few microns. The films have been characterised through a combination of x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and surface profilometry.