The cathodic reduction of PbO in the passive layer on lead in aqueous sulphuric acid
The cathodic reduction of the lead monoxide layer formed on lead in 30% aqueous H2SO4 under anodic oxidation at 0.6 V (vs. Hg/HgSO4 reference electrode) was investigated by linear sweep voltammetry, potential step and admittance measurements. The experimental data were analyzed respectively in terms of thin-layer electrochemistry, electrocrystallisation, and changes of resistance of the PbO layer under reduction. The results seem to be best interpreted from the theory of three-dimensional electrocrystallisation as PbO is reduced to Pb. At sub-zero temperatures the PbO peak observed on our voltammograms and potentiostatic current time transients reveals the splitting of the curves into two peaks, which may be a result of reduction of the same material but of different phases, namely, orthorhombic and tetragonal PbO.