Anode with lead base and method of making same

An anode with a base of lead or lead alloy is provided with catalytic particles of titanium which comprise a very small amount of platinum group metal or an oxide thereof. These catalytic particles are partly embedded, anchored and electrically connected to the base, so that oxygen is evolved on these particles at a reduced potential at which the underlying lead or lead alloy of the base remains electrochemically inactive, and the anode base thereby serves only as a stable conductive support to the catalytic particles. Operation of this anode at a reduced potential provides energy savings. It may be used more particularly in cells for electrowinning metals with a higher degree of purity at a reduced energy cost with respect to conventional cells equipped with anodes consisting of lead or a lead alloy.