Nano-sized lead has many versatile applications that could be applied in daily life. In the current study, we report a comprehensive study for preparation of nanosized lead oxide using the co-precipitation method and optimization of reaction parameters to obtain lead oxide (PbO) nanoparticles with homogeneously distributed size, shape and structure. When aqueous solution of lead (II) acetate reduced with sodium hydroxide at elevated temperatures, alpha form of lead oxide nanoparticles, with spherical shape were achieved. Decreasing the ratio of sodium hydroxide to lead (II) acetate concentration at moderate temperatures resulted with a gradual change in crystal structure from quasi -spherical α-PbO nanoparticles and two dimensional nanoflakes of beta PbO with a thickness below 100 nm was synthesized for the first time. The obtained particles in both α and b forms were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering equipment (Zetasizer), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Finally, thin layers of freeze-dryer α-PbO and β-PbO particle powder on glass and filter paper were formed by the help of nail polisher and conductivity measurements were performed using four-point probes method. Produced layers β-PbO particles with a below 100 nm showed higher conductivity on both supports as compared to the ones produced from spherical α-PbO nanoparticles. This altered conductivity of the material in the semiconducting zone, which is probably due to a more effective electron transfer facilitated by 2D alignment of the molecules, could rose the potential use of this material in voltaic and catalysis.

The current study assessed the potential use of cerium (Ce)-incorporated polypyrrole (PPy) nanofibers (PPy:Ce) as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Cerium incorporation improved the electrochemical performance of PPy, especially by overcoming limitations in cycling stability and energy storage capacity. The PPy and PPy:Ce nanofibers, synthesized using chemical oxidative polymerization, have been carefully examined using various characterization techniques. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) investigations showed that cerium doping increased the density of paramagnetic centers in the PPy structure, improving electrical conductivity and redox activity. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests demonstrated that PPy:Ce nanofibers displayed superior electrochemical performance, achieving a specific capacitance of 203 F g⁻¹ and an energy density of 21.3 W h kg⁻¹. Electron microscopy investigations showed that cerium doping increased the diameter of the nanofibers, resulting in a more uniform shape and improved surface roughness. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis revealed that while cerium doping reduces surface area, it optimizes the pore structure, enhancing ion transport and electrolyte access. This optimization allows for larger pore sizes that facilitate easier ion movement, compensating for the decreased surface area. Structural and electrochemical improvements have been achieved through the homogeneous incorporation of cerium doping into the PPy framework. Cerium doping boosts the cycling stability of PPy, providing an important advantage for long-term energy storage applications. This work presents an alternate method for producing supercapacitor electrodes that demonstrate outstanding efficacy in practical applications utilizing a two-electrode setup. This study significantly contributes to the literature by demonstrating the enhanced performance values achieved by directly incorporating cerium ions into the PPy matrix.