The compounds in lead slag are transformed into [PbCl4](2-) in a mixed solution of HNO3 and NaCl, which is converted into PbC2O4 by the addition of sodium oxalate and polyethylene glycol dispersant. Novel lead oxides are prepared via a combustion-calcination process from lead oxalate precursor. Key properties of the new oxides, such as crystalline phases and morphology, have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that lead oxides synthesized at different calcination temperatures comprise mainly alpha-PbO and beta-PbO phases. In battery testing, the results reveal that the alpha-PbO phase exhibits higher initial capacity as positive active material, discharging about 150 mAh g(-1) at 20 mA g(-1). While beta-PbO yields a relatively improved cycle life, in 50 cycles, its capacity loss is 5%. Further work is being carried out with the aim to optimize the battery manufacturing process or to find out the optimum ratio of alpha-PbO to beta-PbO in order to sustain high discharge capacity and acceptable cycle life. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.