Preparing lead oxide nanoparticles from waste electric and electronic equipment by high temperature oxidation-evaporation and condensation

In this work, two kinds of lead oxides nanoparticles were prepared from Pb-Sn solders of waste electric and electronic equipment by high temperature oxidation-evaporation and condensation using air as oxidizing agent and carrier gas. Lead oxides of hexagonal nanosheets with the thickness of 10–20 nm, length of 150–200 nm and width of 100–150 nm were prepared at 573 K condensation temperature. While, uniform lead oxides of nanorods with dimensions of 10–15 nm in diameter and 50 nm in length were collected at 373 K. The effects of condensation conditions on the morphologies of lead oxides nanoparticles were investigated as well as their growth mechanisms. Further, the as-prepared lead oxides nanosheets and nanorods were applied for constructing Li-ion batteries to test the electro-chemical performance. The galvanostatic cycling tests of Li-ion batteries made by the lead oxides nanosheets showed an initial specific capacity of 917.9 mAh/g and could maintain at 202.2 mAh/g after 100 cycles. The lead oxides nanorods had an initial specific capacity of 1869.6 mAh/g and decreased to 190.2 mAh/g after 100 cycles. This study provides a novel and environmentally friendly way for the resource utilization of Pb from solders and other Pb contained wastes.