Specific orientation of electrochemically deposited PbO2 crystals

Lead dioxide anodes were prepared by electrodeposition of Pb²⁺ on titanium in acidic Pb(NO₃)₂ solutions at 30, 50, 70, 90 and 130°C. The electrodes plated at higher temperatures revealed a progressive increase in the content of β-PbO₂ relative to α-PbO₂. The individual crystals were larger and a higher $\text{O}{}_2\text{O}{}_3$ overpotential was observed during the electrolysis of water on such anodes in 0.5 M HClO₄. At higher temperatures the 110 orientation parallel to the geometrical plane of the electrode predominates for the crystallographic planes. An opposite trend can be established for the crystallographic planes 200 and 101.