Physicochemical Properties and Functioning of Negative Electrodes with Lead-Based Coatings as Parts of Reserve Chemical Power Sources

Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction phase analysis, voltammetry, and chronopotentiometry are used to study the physicochemical properties of lead coating on steel substrates obtained galvanically. The effect the oxidized surface layer and through pores in the lead coating have on the coating’s function as an anode of chemical power sources is analyzed. It is shown that at positive temperatures, the anodic oxidation of the steel substrate can contribute to the functioning of the anode during a discharge. The high discharge characteristics of lead-coated anodes with no barrier layers on steel substrates at temperatures of −50 to +50°С are confirmed by tests of pilot batches of Pb/HClO4/PbO2 reserve power sources. The potential of using tin–lead alloy POS 63 on copper substrates to manufacture anodes for chemical power sources is demonstrated.