Electrodeposition of lead from methanesulfonic acid and methanesulfonate ionic liquid derivatives

Abstract

The influence is reported of electrolyte composition on the electrochemistry of PbII and electrodeposition morphology of Pb in aqueous methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and two methanesulfonate-based ionic liquids: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate and N,N-dimethylbutylammonium methanesulfonate. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry indicated that the reduction of PbII ions to Pb was a diffusion-controlled process proceeding via a two-electron transfer process at -0.67 V vs. Ag (1 M MSA) and involved 3-D progressive nucleation. Scanning electron microscopy showed a strong influence of deposition potential and electrolyte composition on the morphology of Pb deposits. Experimental data was used to model predictions of the specific electrical energy consumption for cathodic PbII electrodeposition coupled with either anodic oxygen evolution or PbO2 electrodeposition.