Time-of-flight neutron diffraction for a series of lead-acid battery positive plate samples has shown that beta -PbO2 is not stoichiometric, but has a deficiency of Pb relative to oxygen giving Pb0.92O2 to Pb0.96O2 The Pb vacancies cause a charge deficiency that is balanced by crystallographic hydrogen on a disordered site. The position of hydrogen is typical of hydrogen bonding as has been previously proposed based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. With either rapid or conventional charging, the amount of hydrogen substitution decreases and the beta -PbO2 tends toward a stoichiometric composition at battery failure. High resolution SEM imaging of these and other battery samples shows a progressive change in the morphology of beta -PbO2 and these changes appear to be the same for both rapid or conventional charging. The morphology progresses from elongated, well-formed crystals to equidimensional crystals to dense clusters of crystals with a consequent reduction in surface area. Neither stoichiometry nor morphology changes necessarily contribute to battery failure, but both progressively change over the cycle life of the battery. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.