Effects of ultrasound on the electrodeposition of lead dioxide on glassy carbon electrodes

Abstract

The electrodeposition of lead dioxide from lead(II) nitrate in an acid medium has been used as a test reaction to study the effects of an ultrasound field. The different behaviours found between platinum and glassy carbon electrodes have been compared by means of cyclic voltammetry and simple potential steps. The current–time response for a platinum electrode is not affected by the presence or absence of ultrasound; in contrast, significant changes have been observed in the characteristic regions of these curves (induction time t₀) with the glassy carbon electrode. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been employed to follow changes in the surface topography after the electrodes had been exposed to ultrasound. Results indicate that neither pits nor structural modifications that may increase the electrode surface occur with the device used. It is concluded that the activation of glassy carbon electrodes by the action of an ultrasound field for electrodeposition of lead dioxide is associated with the surface functionalization caused by the reaction of OH radicals (derived from aqueous sonolysis) with the carbon surface.