Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Lead Dioxide anode for KClO3 cell?

binbin - 25-5-2015 at 10:09

Would a titanium mesh covered in lead dioxide be okay to use for a KClO3 cell? Would it cause any brown contamination? I understand these are normally used for KClO4 cells if I'm not mistaken.

UncleJoe1985 - 26-5-2015 at 11:46

I haven't tried it, but the common wisdom is don't (mainly because of high erosion, which I think I've read about on this forum, but here's an outside account. MMO is better in almost every way (cheaper, easier to buy, non-toxic, lower Cl2 overvoltage)

Are you trying to use PbO2 so that you can make KClO4 in one run without reprocessing the electrolyte?

I don't think that's a good idea because of the low solubility of KClO3. But apparently, this guy has done it

I've been trying to either buy or make (using slightly unconventional lead acetate & copper acetate electrolysis) PbO2 anodes, but have been unsuccessful. Can you share your source of anodes?

[Edited on 26-5-2015 by UncleJoe1985]

[Edited on 26-5-2015 by UncleJoe1985]

papaya - 27-5-2015 at 05:27

Quote: Originally posted by UncleJoe1985  

Are you trying to use PbO2 so that you can make KClO4 in one run without reprocessing the electrolyte?

I don't think that's a good idea because of the low solubility of KClO3. But apparently, this guy has done it



[Edited on 26-5-2015 by UncleJoe1985]

[Edited on 26-5-2015 by UncleJoe1985]


That guy doesn't seem to know what he is doing..

binbin - 28-5-2015 at 06:02

Quote: Originally posted by UncleJoe1985  


I've been trying to either buy or make (using slightly unconventional lead acetate & copper acetate electrolysis) PbO2 anodes, but have been unsuccessful. Can you share your source of anodes?



http://store.theamateurchemist.com/lead-dioxide-anode-2-by-6...

I bought them there a year or so ago. The store is still up but haven't had contact with him for a while. Really nice guy I must add... went the extra mile for me.

EDIT: Looks like they are out of stock now. Maybe contact him and see if he's getting more?




[Edited on 28-5-2015 by binbin]

UncleJoe1985 - 4-6-2015 at 08:28

Quote:
That guy doesn't seem to know what he is doing..


I think he's realized that and changed to using NaCl and PbO2 anodes instead of platinum:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXCKOWN8AhY

papaya - 4-6-2015 at 17:03

Quote: Originally posted by UncleJoe1985  
Quote:
That guy doesn't seem to know what he is doing..


I think he's realized that and changed to using NaCl and PbO2 anodes instead of platinum:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXCKOWN8AhY


I meant that he doesn't provide any proof that he gets PERchlorate and not the chlorate, even if it's mostly perchlorate (it's not!) he doesn't proceed to purify it from residual chlorate. Seem he doesn't really care - of course, bangs mean more to him!