Shape-controlled synthesis of lead dioxide nanoparticles for enhanced electrocatalysis of electrochemical ozone production.

Shape-controlled nanomaterials of PbO 2 have attracted considerable attention in designing highly efficient electrocatalyst, since the physicochemical properties of PbO 2 vary from their structure and morphology. PbO 2 materials demonstrating promising ability in electrochemical ozone production (EOP) have attracted the focus of research recently, and therefore boost the strategical improvement in their key performance, such as electroactivity, current efficiency and space-time yield. In this work, the PbO 2 crystals with controllable structures of rod-like, sphere-like as well as star-like PbO 2 were acquired to explore their physicochemical properties and EOP performance systemically. Among the samples, PbO 2 nanorods, benefitting from their abundant active surface chemisorbed oxygen, exhibit relatively high electrocatalytic activity towards EOP. Such structural feature is beneficial for triggering the generation of a rapid charge, improving mass transfer, and subsequently enhancing the corresponding electrocatalytic reactions. A maximum EOP current efficiency of 14% was achieved by the PbO 2 nanorod electrode at a cell potential of 4.0 V corresponding to a specific electric energy consumption of 101.53 kWh·(kg·O 3)⁻¹. Overall, an in-depth understanding of the nanostructure–performance relationship of PbO 2 and EOP performance is demonstrated in this work, which can provide an insight into the rational design of PbO 2 for the EOP. • PbO 2 with rod-, sphere-, and star-like morphologies were prepared. • Physicochemical properties and EOP performance of PbO 2 are systemically explored. • PbO 2 nanorods exhibit relatively high electrocatalytic activity towards EOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]