Physicochemical properties and functioning of negative electrodes with lead-based coatings as part of reserve chemical power sources

Physicochemical properties of lead coating on steel substrates obtained by the galvanic method are studied by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction phase analysis, voltammetry, and chronopotentiometry. The influence of the surface oxidized layer and through pores in the lead coating on the functioning of this coating as an anode of chemical power sources is studied. It is shown that at positive temperatures the process of anodic oxidation of the steel substrate can contribute to functioning of the anode at discharge. High discharge characteristics of lead-coated anodes without barrier layers on a steel substrate at temperatures from -50 to +50°C are confirmed by tests of pilot batches of reserve power sources of the Pb/HClO4/PbO2 system. Application of POS 63 tin-lead alloy on a copper substrate is shown to be promising for manufacturing anodes of chemical power sources.