MnO2 nanoparticles as a catalyst for the air electrode of a Zn/Air battery

Abstract

A form of electrolytic manganese dioxide obtained by us from fluorine-containing electrolytes was seen to produce the higher catalytic and electrochemical activity. The catalytic activity of the synthesized electrolytic manganese dioxide was designated as the constant of rate reaction to the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Quantum chemical calculations of the electronic structure of molecular cluster and adsorption complex were made to explain mechanism of the reaction. This material is characterized by the increased amount of structural defects. MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized and introduced as a catalyst for the air electrode of a Zn/air battery. The electrochemical property of the air electrodes containing MnO2 nanoparticles is significantly associated with the shape and size of the nanoparticles. The independent comparative testing of the experimental samples of our power sources of 1142 size were carried out. It was shown that power sources with the manganese dioxide cathode catalyst obtained from fluorine containing electrolyte (sample EMD) have 20 % higher capacity in MnO2 /air – Zn system.