Abstract:Al/α-PbO₂/β-PbO₂ composite electrodes doped with rare earth oxide (CeO₂) were prepared by anodic oxidation method investigate the influence of nano-CeO₂ dopants on the properties of Al/α-PbO₂/β-PbO₂-CeO₂ electrodes and the impact of α-PbO₂ as the intermediate layer. The results show that using α-PbO₂ as the intermediate layer will benefit the crystallization of β-PbO₂ and β-PbO₂ is more suitable as the surface layer than α-PbO₂. CeO₂ dopants change the crystallite size and crystal structure, enhance the catalytic activity, and even change the deposition mechanism of PbO₂. The doping of CeO₂ in the PbO₂ electrodes can enhance the electro-catalytic activity, which is helpful for oxygen evolution, and therefore reduce the cell voltage.

Key words: rare earth; CeO₂; composite electrode material; α-PbO₂; β-PbO₂; cell voltage; inert anode