The influence of cerium on lead dioxide electrodeposition process on a glass carbon electrode (GCE) from lead nitrate solution was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Cerium exhibit an inhibition effect on the lead dioxide electrodeposition process. Instantaneous nucleation mechanism can be found for lead dioxide electrodeposition according to Scharifker-Hills' model with three-dimensional growth, which is not influenced by the addition of cerium. The morphology and structure of Ce-doped PbO2 electrodes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the adulteration of cerium can greatly decrease grain size and make the films more compact. Accelerated lifetime tests demonstrate that the adulteration of cerium can highly lengthen the service life of Ce-doped PbO2 electrode in its practical application. Methylene blue degradation experiments reveal that the Ce-doped PbO2 electrodes possess excellent electrocatalytic activity. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.