Growth and characterization of ordered PbO2 nanowires arrays

Large arrays of PbO2 nanowires having high aspect ratios length-to-width ratio were grown by potentiostatic electrodeposition into anodic alumina templates under anodic polarization. Different electrolytic solutions were used in order to obtain nanowires of pure -PbO2, pure -PbO2, and a + mixture. We have found that, in a lead nitrate bath, a crystallographic structure of nanowires depends on pH; this latter was varied adding diluted nitric acid to the electrolyte. Nanowires of pure -PbO2 were obtained at pH 0.6, while mixed -PbO2 + -PbO2 nanowires were grown at pH 2. Pure –phase was obtained in a bath containing lead acetate at pH 6.6. In all deposition conditions, nanowires present the same morphology: perfectly cylindrical wires having uniform diameters throughout length, with an average value of 210 nm and a population density on the order of 1013 wires/m2. Very high aspect ratios were obtained already after 30 min of electrodeposition.