Lead

Lead • Other Metal

Primary XPS region: Pb4f
Overlapping regions: P2p, Zn3s
Binding energies of common chemical states:

Chemical state	Binding energy Pb4f_7/2
Pb metal	136.9 eV
PbO₂	137.8 eV
Pb₃O4	138.4 eV
Pb native oxide	138.4 eV
2PbCO₃.Pb(OH)₂	138.4 eV
Pb palmitate	138.4 eV
Pb azelate	138.4 eV

Native oxide referenced to Pb metal. All others charge referenced to adventitious C1s peak at 284.8eV.

Experimental information

N/A

Interpretation of XPS spectra

Pb4f region has well-separated spin-orbit components (Δ_metal=4.87eV).
- Not always a valid charge reference value (e.g., C1s peak for adventitious carbon on native oxide of aluminum appears at ~286eV).
Analysis of the O1s region for air-exposed Pb metal indicates the native oxide has a high concentration of hydroxide.

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General comments

PbO₂ may have a small amount of PbCO₃ formed on the surface through reaction with CO₂ in the atmosphere.

About this element

Symbol: Pb
Date of discovery: known to the ancients
Name origin: Latin plumbum
Appearance: bluish-white
Discoverer: unknown
Obtained from: galena

Melting point: 600.1 K
Boiling point: 2022 K
Density[kg/m³]: 11.340
Molar volume: 18.26 × 10^-6 m³/mol
Protons/Electrons: 82
Neutrons: 125
Shell structure: 2,8,18,32,18,4
Electron configuration: [Xe]4f145d106s26p2
Oxidation state: 4,2
Crystal structure: cubic

This blue-white metal is soft and malleable. A poor conductor of electricity, lead is resistant to corrosion and very dense. Lead derives its symbol Pb from the Latin word plumbum, meaning “liquid silver.” Prolonged exposure to lead causes neurological damage as well as renal disease, cardiovascular effects, and reproductive toxicity. Although the harmful effects of lead have been recognized as early as 2000 BC, it has been used throughout history for plumbing and ammunition. Recently, lead has been used in storage batteries, paints, petrol, and sound absorbance materials, although these uses are being phased out due to health and environmental effects.

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