Analysis of tin in lead oxide by Mössbauer spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy

Tin present in the PbO layer growing on lead-calcium-tin alloys under deep-discharge conditions (0.7 V versus SSE) has been characterized by Mössbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. After polarization, tin is present in PbO in two valencies. Sn(IV) is predominant and in oxides probably precipitated at the grain boundaries, whereas Sn(II) could be weakly incorporated in the PbO lattice. On the other hand, the crystallization of PbO is very fine, in contrast to that of PbSO4..