New preparation methods and accurate X-ray powder diffraction data for tribasic lead sulfate hydrate, precursor of the active material in lead/acid batteries

Pure tribasic lead sulfate hydrate was prepared by two different methods and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. One of these methods consisted of grinding the starting materials while the other involved the precipitation of the tribasic lead sulfate hydrate from a lead acetate solution in a buffered ammonia solution. The phases so prepared led to the same X-ray diagram. The results of the refinement of the lattice parameters are given.