Distinction of Conductive PbO₂ and Non-conductive PbSO₄ in Deposited Mixtures on IrO₂-Ta₂O₅/Ti Anodes Using SEM with Low Accelerated Incident Electrons

Reaction Selectivity of IrO2-Based Nano/Amorphous Hybrid Oxide-Coated Titanium Anodes in Acidic Aqueous Solutions: Oxygen Evolution and Lead Oxide Deposition

“…Furthermore, the bright parts and dark parts in these deposits of several microns in size represent PbO 2 and PbSO 4 , respectively, and one of the outstanding features of SEM observations by low accelerated incident electrons is that a mixture composed of conductive and nonconductive components can be identified only by SE images. 56 Next, Figs. 10b-10d show the SEM images observed using low accelerated incident electrons of 1 keV to examine the surface morphology of Anode F (Ir = 50 mol%) prepared at 470 °C, following partial deposition of PbO 2 onto the surface of the catalytic layer by electrolysis in the lead nitrate solution.…”

“…This deposited PbO 2 not only reduces the catalytic activity of the anode for oxygen evolution but also becomes partially reduced to nonconductive PbSO 4 when electrolysis is stopped 3, 55,56 and the continuous use of the anode leads to problems such as an increase in the cell voltage.…”