Co-doping of SiO2 and ZrO2 for the synthesis of energy-saving PbO2 anode material for trivalent chromium electroplating

Abstract

In this study, the electrodes (PbO2, PbO2–SiO2, PbO2–ZrO2 and PbO2–SiO2–ZrO2) were prepared by galvanostatic electrodeposition in a lead nitrate system and used as anode materials for trivalent chromium plating. Physical characterizations show that the successful doping of SiO2 and ZrO2 can refine the grain of PbO2. Electrochemical tests show that the PbO2–SiO2–ZrO2 electrode has good electrocatalytic activity and corrosion resistance, which is mainly attributed to the increase of active surface area. In the process of trivalent chromium plating, the initial and increasing range of the cell voltage of the PbO2–SiO2–ZrO2 electrode were the lowest, and the amount of hexavalent chromium generated was much smaller than that obtained using the pure PbO2 electrode, which had obvious advantages in energy savings. This study provides a concise method for PbO2 electrode modification and provides a reference for the subsequent use of anode materials for trivalent chromium plating and electrodeposition of other metals.