LAUSR

ABSTRACT Here we combine small angle neutron scattering measurements (SANS) with X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) measurements to obtain information about nanoparticles formed in a series of lead-lead dioxide samples mixed with various CuO concentrations. New vitreous systems with the xCuO • (100−x)[4PbO2 • Pb] composition where x = 0, 30, and 70 mol% CuO were prepared by the melt-quenching method using CuO mixed in suitable proportion with the active electrodes of a disassembled car battery as the starting materials. The X-ray diffraction patterns permit the identification of the metallic Pb phase and the presence of oxidic nanoparticles of the lead and copper ions. By doping with higher CuO contents, the SANS curves have a concave shape indicating inhomogeneities and tendency of phase separation due to formation of nanoparticles of the lead and copper ions in recycled host matrix. The studied samples can be considered as polydispersed systems. The matrix is the solvent and the soluble phase is formed from the oxidic lead and/or copper particles with sizes smaller than 69 Å dispersed either inside the host matrix grains or between the host matrix grains. The formation of the nanoparticles in the host matrix and the knowledge of the type of nanoparticles have a decisive role in applications for the construction of essential components of the automobile batteries.