The interparticle contact is an important aspect for the capacity of all lead dioxide electrodes. It can be discussed with respect to the ratio of the two lead dioxide phases, alpha- and beta-PbO2. Of the two phases the alpha-PbO2 has a more compact structure compared to the more porous beta-PbO2, resulting in a better contact between the particles. It has previously been shown that different perchlorate salts have an influence on the discharge properties, the self discharge and the active surface area of formed PbO2. The results were attributed to crystal structure defects caused by the cations and it was suggested that different cations may influence the ratio between alpha- and beta-PbO2 resulting in different discharge properties. In the present study, structural changes of electrochemically formed lead dioxide were studied as a function of formation time, current, porosity, interparticle contact, and electrolyte cation by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three different electrode thicknesses 100, 200 and 400 mu m were investigated at two current densities and with four perchlorate salts, KClO4, NaClO4, LiClO4, and HClO4. The initial results indicate that the ratio of alpha/(alpha + beta) increased when a larger cation was used in the order H+ < Li+ < Na+ < K+. The ratio of lead sulfate PbSO4/(alpha + beta) in the sample seems to decrease both with a decreased cation and with an increased electrode thickness.