
Lead (II) oxide, also called lead monoxide, is the inorganic compound with the molecular formula Pb O. PbO
Lead(II) oxide
Lead(II) oxide, also called lead monoxide, is the inorganic compound with the molecular formula PbO. PbO occurs in two polymorphs: litharge having a tetragonal crystal structure, and massicot having an orthorhombic crystal structure. Modern applications for PbO are mostly in lead-based ind…
What are the examples of lead oxides?
Common lead oxides include: 1 Lead (II) oxide, PbO, litharge (red), massicot (yellow) 2 Lead (II,IV) oxide, Pb 3 O 4, minium, red lead 3 Lead dioxide (lead (IV) oxide), PbO 2 More ...
What is lead (II) oxide?
Lead (II) oxide. PbO occurs in two polymorphs: litharge having a tetragonal crystal structure, and massicot having an orthorhombic crystal structure. Modern applications for PbO are mostly in lead -based industrial glass and industrial ceramics, including computer components. It is an amphoteric oxide.
How is Leady oxide formed from lead powder?
During thermal oxidation of lead, first a PbO layer forms on the metal surface, followed by an oxidation reaction that proceeds via a solid-state mechanism, i.e. by diffusion of oxygen vacancies through the PbO layer. In the battery industry, the lead powder used is oxidized to 75–85% and is called leady oxide. It is produced by two methods:
What is the colour of lead oxidation?
During the initial stages of the oxidation process, lead can display various colours including blue, bronze and even green. This effect is perhaps best described as optical, as these colours are mainly determined by the angle of the reflected light and will fade away as

What color is lead oxide?
Lead oxide which exists as a tetragonal structure possesses red colour while the orthorhombic structure of lead oxide is yellow in colour.
What does oxidized lead look like?
Lead(IV) oxide is the inorganic compound with the formula PbO2. It is an oxide where lead is in an oxidation state of +4. It is a dark-brown solid which is insoluble in water.
Is lead oxide red or yellow?
yellowLead(II) oxide, or litharge, is a yellow oxide of lead of formula PbO, created by heating lead in air. It can also be formed by heating lead(II) nitrate(V) (Pb(NO3)2).
What is a lead oxide?
Lead oxides are a group of inorganic compounds with formulas including lead (Pb) and oxygen (O). Common lead oxides include: Lead(II) oxide, PbO, litharge (red), massicot (yellow) Lead(II,IV) oxide, Pb3O4, minium, red lead. Lead dioxide (lead(IV) oxide), PbO.
Why does lead turn brown?
It is well documented that lead can develop a red-brown formation when exposed to alkalis such as lime or cement, either in direct contact or as airborne dust. In the USA, this discolouration has been attributed to surface contamination with chemical fertilisers.
What does natural lead look like?
Lead is a bluish-white lustrous metal. It is very soft, highly malleable, ductile, and a relatively poor conductor of electricity. It is very resistant to corrosion but tarnishes upon exposure to air.
What is lead oxide used for?
Lead oxide is a semiconductor nanostructure that has important applications in storage batteries, pigments, ceramics, and glass industry.
What is the original colour of lead?
Elemental lead. It is a bluish-grey metal that tarnishes easily in air to a dark grey. The density of lead is 11.34 g/cm3. It has a low melting point of 327.46 °C or 621.43 °F. Naturally occurring lead ores comprise 0.002% (15g/t) of the earth's crust.
What does red lead look like?
A bright red or orange solid, it is used as pigment, in the manufacture of batteries, and rustproof primer paints.
Is lead oxide harmful to humans?
► Lead Dioxide is a PROBABLE CARCINOGEN in humans. There is some evidence that inorganic Lead compounds cause lung, brain, stomach, and kidney cancer in humans and they have been shown to cause kidney cancer in animals. a carcinogen.
What removes lead oxide?
Layers of lead oxides were completely removed in more concentrated ammonium acetate solutions, boiling acetic acid solution, 20% hydrochloric acid and solution of Rochelle salt.
What is the other name of lead oxide?
lead monoxideLead(II) oxide, also called lead monoxide, is the inorganic compound with the molecular formula PbO. PbO occurs in two polymorphs: litharge having a tetragonal crystal structure, and massicot having an orthorhombic crystal structure.
What happens when lead is oxidized?
During thermal oxidation of lead, first a PbO layer forms on the metal surface, followed by an oxidation reaction that proceeds via a solid-state mechanism, i.e. by diffusion of oxygen vacancies through the PbO layer. In the battery industry, the lead powder used is oxidized to 75–85% and is called leady oxide.
How do you know if its oxidized?
The species that loses electrons is said to be oxidized, while the species that gains electrons is said to be reduced. We can identify redox reactions using oxidation numbers, which are assigned to atoms in molecules by assuming that all bonds to the atoms are ionic.
Can lead be oxidized?
Metallic lead is attacked (oxidized) only superficially by air, forming a thin layer of lead oxide that protects it from further oxidation. The metal is not attacked by sulfuric or hydrochloric acids. It dissolves in nitric acid with the evolution of nitric oxide gas to form dissolved Pb(NO3)2.
What is the colour of lead oxide residue?
Assertion: A lead nitrate on thermal decomposition gives lead oxide, brown coloured nitrogen dioxide and oxygen gas. Reason: Lead nitrate reacts with potassium iodide to form yellow ppt of lead iodide and the reaction is double displacement as well as precipitation reaction.
What is the difference between tetragonal and orthorhombic?
In the tetragonal form the four lead–oxygen bonds have the same length, but in the orthorhombic two are shorter and two longer. The pyramidal nature indicates the presence of a stereochemically active lone pair of electrons. When PbO occurs in tetragonal lattice structure it is called litharge; and when the PbO has orthorhombic lattice structure it is called massicot. The PbO can be changed from massicot to litharge or vice versa by controlled heating and cooling. The tetragonal form is usually red or orange color, while the orthorhombic is usually yellow or orange, but the color is not a very reliable indicator of the structure. The tetragonal and orthorhombic forms of PbO occur naturally as rare minerals.
What is the color of PbO?
The tetragonal form is usually red or orange color, while the orthorhombic is usually yellow or orange, but the color is not a very reliable indicator of the structure. The tetragonal and orthorhombic forms of PbO occur naturally as rare minerals. Crystal structure of the litharge form of lead (II) oxide. Unit cell. Packing.
What is the chemical formula for lead monoxide?
Chemical compound. Lead (II) oxide, also called lead monoxide, is the inorganic compound with the molecular formula Pb O. PbO occurs in two polymorphs: litharge having a tetragonal crystal structure, and massicot having an orthorhombic crystal structure.
Why is PBO used in China?
PbO was used to speed up the process to turn more profit for less time and artificially increase the quality of century eggs, a type of Chinese preserved egg. It was an unscrupulous practice in some small factories but it became rampant in China and forced many honest manufacturers to label their boxes "lead-free" after the scandal went mainstream in 2013.
Why is PbO used in X-ray tubes?
PbO is used in cathode ray tube glass to block X-ray emission, but mainly in the neck and funnel because it can cause discoloration when used in the faceplate.
What is lead used for in glass?
The kind of lead in lead glass is normally PbO, and PbO is used extensively in making glass. Depending on the glass, the benefit of using PbO in glass can be one or more of increasing the refractive index of the glass, decreasing the viscosity of the glass, increasing the electrical resistivity of the glass, and increasing the ability of the glass to absorb X-rays. Adding PbO to industrial ceramics (as well as glass) makes the materials more magnetically and electrically inert (by raising their Curie temperature) and it is often used for this purpose. Historically PbO was also used extensively in ceramic glazes for household ceramics, and it is still used, but not extensively any more. Other less dominant applications include the vulcanization of rubber and the production of certain pigments and paints. PbO is used in cathode ray tube glass to block X-ray emission, but mainly in the neck and funnel because it can cause discoloration when used in the faceplate. Strontium oxide and Barium oxide are preferred for the faceplate.
What is PbO made of?
PbO is produced on a large scale as an intermediate product in refining raw lead ores into metallic lead. The usual lead ore is galena ( lead (II) sulfide ). At a temperature of around 1,000 °C (1,800 °F) the sulfide is converted to the oxide:
What is lead oxide?
Lead oxide (PbO) exists in two crystalline modifications: red tetragonal (α-PbO) and yellow orthorhombic (β-PbO). β-PbO is obtained at temperatures higher than 486°C and α-PbO, at lower temperatures. During thermal oxidation of lead, first a PbO layer forms on the metal surface, followed by an oxidation reaction that proceeds via a solid-state mechanism, i.e. by diffusion of oxygen vacancies through the PbO layer. In the battery industry, the lead powder used is oxidized to 75–85% and is called leady oxide. It is produced by two methods:
What is CVD in metals?
CVD is the most common way of depositing lead oxide thin films and typical precursors used are 51, 218,219 PbEt 4, 220 and [PbEt (OCH 2 C (CH 3) 3 )]. 218 Various CVD techniques have been employed for the deposition, most commonly LPCVD; however, the use of laser, plasma, and liquid delivery CVD has also been reported. For LPCVD, the precursors were heated to elevate into the vapor phase and transported with a carrier gas and an additional O 2 source. The lead oxide films were grown on a range of substrates, including silicon (100), 220 SiO 2 -coated silicon, 220 and Pt-coated Si/SiO 2 at temperatures of 350–700 °C. 218 The lead oxide thin films formed were generally polycrystalline PbO, but a mixture of the litharge and massicot forms, as well as rarer occurrences of scrutinyite and Pb metal, was also observed.
What are the different types of lead oxides?
Lead oxide can be found in many forms including α-PbO (litharge) and β-PbO (massicot), α-PbO2 (scrutinyite) and β-PbO 2 (plattnerite), and Pb 3 O 4 (minium). 201 Litharge, plattnerite, and minium have tetragonal crystal phases, whereas massicot and scrutinyite have orthorhombic structures. With lead oxide, PbO, both modifications have very low electrical conductivity and possess interesting semiconducting and photoconducting properties. Therefore, PbO has potential applications of industrial importance in imaging devices, electrophotography, electroradiography, and for laser technology. 202 Thin films of lead monoxide are of interest as antireflection coatings in the production of detectors, 203 and in the fabrication of semiconductor gas sensors. 204 Lead dioxide is also of interest as PbO 2 anodes have received much attention because of their structural, morphological, optical, and mechanical properties and their potential applications in wastewater treatment, 205,206 ozone generation, 207 analytical sensors, 208 electro-winning of metals, 209 and battery electrodes. 210 The substantial growth in new avenues such as telecommunication networks, electronics, computers, and so forth, has raised new challenges for PbO 2 batteries. PbO 2 electrodes are also applied in industrial processes such as an energy-conversion process, recycling, and environmental treatment. 211 It is well known that PbO 2 exhibits excellent chemical stability, high conductivity, large overpotential, and chemical inertness for electrolysis in an acid medium.
How long does leady oxide powder have to cool down?
The freshly produced leady oxide powder has elevated temperature and high reactivity. It has to be left to cool down for 3–6 days. If freshly produced leady oxide is used for paste preparation, the obtained paste will have granular structure.
What precursors are used to make lead oxide films?
215 Three different precursors are used, including lead diethyl-dithiocarbamate [Pb (S 2 CNMe 2) 2] ( 50 ), lead 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptadione [Pb (thd) 2] ( 51 ), and tetraphenyllead, PbPh 4, along with an ozone oxygen source. Films were deposited using compounds 50, 51, and PbPh 4 on silicon (100) substrates at temperatures of 150–400 °C and pressures between 1.5 and 2.25 Torr using nitrogen as a carrier gas. On using compound 50 as the precursor, only PbS 2 thin films were deposited, whereas 51 and PbPh 4 resulted in the formation of polycrystalline PbO 2 thin films. Lee et al. reported the ALD of lead oxide films using alternating cycles of lead bis (3- N, N- dimethyl-2-methyl-2-propanoxide) [Pb (dmamp) 2] ( 52) and H 2 O depositing on Ir/IrO 2 /SiO 2 /Si substrates. 217 Compound 52 was heated to 126 °C and allowed to pass into the reaction chamber where the substrates were heated to 200 °C and the system was at 0.5–0.8 Torr. Cycles were subsequently purged with argon before H 2 O was passed through the system as the oxygen source. Films deposited from 52 and H 2 O were found to be a mixture of polycrystalline PbO and Pb metal.
Which method is more reactive, Barton pot or Ball Mill?
The effect of temperature, air flow humidity and flow rate on the properties of the leady oxides and on the productivity of the equipment is discussed. The Barton pot method is more productive, while the leady oxide produced by the Ball mill method is more reactive. An overview of the basic characteristics of leady oxides (crystal modification, chemical composition, water and H 2 SO 4 absorption, specific density, particle size distribution and stability of the leady oxide) is presented. The influence of leady oxide properties on battery performance characteristics is discussed.
What is the name of the polymorph of lead oxide?
Lead oxide (PbO) exists in two modifications (polymorphs): (1) red tetragonal lead oxide (tet-PbO) (also known as α-PbO or litharge) and (2) yellow orthorhombic lead oxide (orthorhomb-PbO) (also known as β-PbO or massicot). Tet-PbO is stable at low temperatures and low pressures.
Why are lead leads coated?
Some lead options are coated leads so there will be less oxidation but they may still oxidise around the edges. Oxidation is a natural process which affects the appearance of lead, when exposed to the different environmental conditions.
How to clean lead from glass?
Cleaning of the glass with warm water, washing-up liquid or a mild glass cleaner will ensure that the lead is kept clean and natural oxidation can take place . The time of year will have an affect on how the lead will change but by no means should there be any concern about the appearance as this natural process will always take place.
What conditions can cause oxidation of lead?
These conditions – rain, snow, condensation or any weather cycles will determine the degree of severity of the oxidation of the lead and the time scale over which it will occur. Oxidation is far more likely to occur during winter conditions, with the weather attacking the shiny new surface of the lead strip. The natural colour of lead is ...
What does it mean when lead strips are oxidized?
Once this has happened, it is a sign that the lead strip is forming its own protective barrier.
What is lead patina?
Lead after cleaning. The patina is made up of insoluble lead salts that give the appearance of a traditional grey lead. Look at the image here to see how the lead may look with the effects of oxidation. The patina is made up of normal lead sulphite, normal lead sulphate and normal lead carbonate.
What are the colors of lead?
The colours that you will see are partly determined by the angle of view but can include white, copper and even green along with powdery deposits. This happens as the lead comes into contact with moisture and is basic lead carbonate.
Can lead carbonate run off glass?
Customers should be aware that the changing appearance of the lead will settle down and that any action to remove the patina will result in the process starting over again. There is however, no way of saying how long oxidation will take. This basic lead carbonate can run off onto the glass under some circumstances and should be cleaned to avoid the likelihood of any staining.
How does lead poisoning affect the body?
They may affect many parts of the body. Most of the time, lead poisoning builds up slowly. It follows repeated exposures to small quantities of lead. Lead toxicity is rare after a single exposure or ingestion of lead. Signs of repeated lead exposure include: abdominal pain. abdominal cramps. aggressive behavior.
What is the treatment for lead in urine?
In more severe cases, a procedure known as chelation therapy can be used. This treatment binds to lead that has accumulated in your body. The lead is then excreted in your urine. Chemical chelators that are used most often include EDTA and DMSA.
How long does lead poisoning last?
Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of months or years. It can cause severe mental and physical impairment. Young children are most vulnerable. Children get lead in their bodies by putting the lead-containing objects in their mouths.
What are the symptoms of lead poisoning?
These include: severe abdominal pain and cramping. vomiting. muscle weakness. stumbling when walking. seizures. coma. encephalopathy, which manifests as confusion, coma, and seizures.
What were toys painted before 1976?
toys and household items painted before 1976. toys made and painted outside the United States. bullets, curtain weights, and fishing sinkers made of lead. pipes and sink faucets, which can contaminate drinking water. soil polluted by car exhaust or chipping house paint. paint sets and art supplies.
What is lead poisoning?
Lead poisoning is a serious and sometimes fatal condition. It occurs when lead builds up in the body. Lead is found in lead-based paints, including paint on the walls of old houses and toys. It is also found in: Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of months or years.
What to do if you have lead exposure?
If someone has symptoms of severe lead exposure, call 911 or local emergency medical services. Be sure to have the following information ready to tell the emergency operator:
What are the most common sources of lead poisoning in children?
Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in older buildings are the most common sources of lead poisoning in children. Other sources include contaminated air, water and soil. Adults who work with batteries, do home renovations or work in auto repair shops also might be exposed to lead.
What can lead be found in?
Household dust can contain lead from lead paint chips or from contaminated soil brought in from outside. Pottery. Glazes found on some ceramics, china and porcelain can contain lead that can leach into food served or stored in the pottery. Toys. Lead is sometimes found in toys and other products produced abroad.
What are some remedies for lead poisoning?
Herbal or folk remedies. Lead poisoning has been linked to greta and azarcon, traditional Hispanic medicines, as well as some from India, China and other countries. Mexican candy. Tamarind, an ingredient used in some candies made in Mexico, might contain lead. Lead bullets.
How to prevent lead poisoning?
Prevention. Simple measures can help protect you and your family from lead poisoning: Wash hands and toys. To help reduce hand-to-mouth transfer of contaminated dust or soil, wash your children's hands after outdoor play, before eating and at bedtime. Wash their toys regularly .
What bullets can lead to exposure?
Lead bullets. Time spent at firing ranges can lead to exposure.
How to get rid of lead in children?
Eat a healthy diet. Regular meals and good nutrition might help lower lead absorption. Children especially need enough calcium, vitamin C and iron in their diets to help keep lead from being absorbed.
How to keep lead based soil outside?
Remove shoes before entering the house. This will help keep lead-based soil outside.

Overview
Lead(II) oxide, also called lead monoxide, is the inorganic compound with the molecular formula PbO. PbO occurs in two polymorphs: litharge having a tetragonal crystal structure, and massicot having an orthorhombic crystal structure. Modern applications for PbO are mostly in lead-based industrial glass and industrial ceramics, including computer components. It is an amphoteric o…
Preparation
PbO may be prepared by heating lead metal in air at approximately 600 °C (1,100 °F). At this temperature it is also the end product of decomposition of other oxides of lead in air:
Thermal decomposition of lead(II) nitrate or lead(II) carbonate also results in the formation of PbO:
2 Pb(NO 3) 2 → 2 PbO + 4 NO 2 + O 2 PbCO 3 → PbO + CO2
PbO is produced on a large scale as an intermediate product in refining raw lead ores into metall…
Structure
As determined by X-ray crystallography, both polymorphs, tetragonal and orthorhombic feature a pyramidal four-coordinate lead center. In the tetragonal form the four lead–oxygen bonds have the same length, but in the orthorhombic two are shorter and two longer. The pyramidal nature indicates the presence of a stereochemically active lone pair of electrons. When PbO occurs in tetragonal lattice structure it is called litharge; and when the PbO has orthorhombic lattice struct…
Reactions
Metallic lead is obtained by reducing PbO with carbon monoxide at around 1,200 °C (2,200 °F):
PbO + CO → Pb + CO2
The red and yellow forms of this material are related by a small change in enthalpy:
PbO(red) → PbO(yellow) ΔH = 1.6 kJ/mol
PbO is amphoteric, which means that it reacts with both acids and with bases. With acids, it for…
Applications
The kind of lead in lead glass is normally PbO, and PbO is used extensively in making glass. Depending on the glass, the benefit of using PbO in glass can be one or more of increasing the refractive index of the glass, decreasing the viscosity of the glass, increasing the electrical resistivity of the glass, and increasing the ability of the glass to absorb X-rays. Adding PbO to industrial ceramics (as well as glass) makes the materials more magnetically and electrically iner…
Health issues
Lead oxide may be fatal if swallowed or inhaled. It causes irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. It affects gum tissue, the central nervous system, the kidneys, the blood, and the reproductive system. It can bioaccumulate in plants and in mammals.
External links
• Case Studies in Environmental Medicine - Lead Toxicity
• ToxFAQs: Lead
• National Pollutant Inventory - Lead and Lead Compounds Fact Sheet
• Webelements PbO