Hybridization of carbon nanotube tissue and MnO2 as a generic advanced air cathode in metal–air batteries

Natasha Ronith Levy, Polina Tereshchuk, Amir Natan, Ronja Haas, Daniel Schröder, Jürgen Janek, Peter Jakes, Rüdiger A. Eichel*, Yair Ein-Eli*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents the utilization of hybrid carbon nano-tube (CNT) – manganese dioxide (MnO2) tissues as air electrodes in nonaqueous aluminum- and lithium-based battery systems. The CNT tissues are impregnated with α-manganese dioxide nanoparticles via a straightforward binder-free ultrasonic treatment, thereby enabling an improved oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity. Half-cell potentiodynamic measurements along with full-cell discharge evaluations of Li- and Al-based battery systems are reported. Higher discharge potentials and capacities were obtained from generic and advanced hybrid CNT–MnO2 air cathodes. The discharge products obtained on the air cathode surface were studied using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Their chemical compositions were evaluated using elemental mapping energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We complemented our analysis with density functional theory calculations of oxygen adsorption on MnO2 and graphene. The modifications obtained for the discharge products in both systems, along with their improved distribution within the cathode surface, supported longer discharge processes without clogging the O2 penetration pathways at the air cathode. The stability of the α-MnO2 catalyst was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, thereby indicating the ongoing formation of an outer MnF2 shell layer, which affected the α-MnO2 functionality, as an efficient ORR catalyst.

Original languageEnglish
Article number230597
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume514
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2021

Funding

FundersFunder number
Fuel Choice Initiative
Prime Minister Office of ISRAEL
Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
Israel Science Foundation869/17
Council for Higher Education
Ministry of Science and Technology, Israel03XP0248
Israel National Research Center for Electrochemical Propulsion

    Keywords

    • Air electrode
    • Carbon nano-tubes
    • Manganese dioxide
    • Metal–air battery
    • Perfluorocarbons

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