Study of the influence of glycerol on the cathodic process of lead electrodeposition and on its morphology

Potentiodynamic lead electrodeposition on 1010 steel was studied, so as to examine the influence of glycerol on the cathodic process of lead plating and, if possible to obtain films consistently with characteristics suitable for use in lead battery technology and corrosion protection. Under potentiodynamic conditions the lead deposits obtained on 1010 steel were not satisfactory for corrosion protection but could be transformed into high purity lead powder. Given the undercutting of the lead film during the anodic dissolution scan, it is suggested that an anodic pulse could be applied to peel off the lead film on 1010 steel. The 1010 steel substrate showed itself to be potentially useful as a cathode in the treatment of Pb/H2SO4 battery industry waste and in the production of lead powder, due to its low cost and non-adherence of lead films. With the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photographs, an explanation has been offered for the influence of glycerol on the lead electrodeposition process. It was concluded that glycerol reduces the dendritic growth but does not favor the adherence of the electrodeposits.