Characterization of zirconium, lanthanum and lead oxide deposits prepared by cathodic electrosynthesis

Cathodic electrosynthesis of zirconium, lanthanum and lead oxides was performed from aqueous solutions of ZrOCl2 · 8H2O, La(NO3)3 · 6H2O and Pb(NO3)2, respectively. The deposits were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. Crystallite sizes of zirconia were derived at different temperatures from X-ray broadening data. The influence of hydrogen peroxide on the electrosynthesis process, crystallization and phase evolution of deposits has been studied. A possible mechanism of electrosynthesis and the role of hydrogen peroxide are discussed.