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A Gas Diffusion Layer Impregnated with Mn 3 O 4 ‐Decorated N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Zinc‐Air Batteries
Author(s) -
Aasen Drew,
Clark Michael,
Ivey Douglas G.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
batteries and supercaps
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2566-6223
DOI - 10.1002/batt.201900102
Subject(s) - catalysis , bifunctional , materials science , electrochemistry , carbon nanotube , gas diffusion electrode , chemical engineering , electrode , carbon fibers , battery (electricity) , bifunctional catalyst , composite number , diffusion , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , nanotechnology , composite material , biochemistry , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , thermodynamics
Mn 3 O 4 ‐decorated N‐CNTs are synthesized and impregnated into porous carbon paper (gas diffusion layer or GDL) to form a composite catalyst‐GDL material in a simple and novel one‐pot process. The impregnated electrode features high active surface area, improved discharge performance, and reduced vulnerability to flooding when compared with other electrode preparation techniques for similar catalysts. Electrochemical and battery testing show catalytic activity and a maximum discharge potential superior to other CNT supported Mn 3 O 4 catalysts, and comparable to commercially used Pt−Ru (1.21 V at 20 mA cm −2 ). The composite is cycled at 10 mA cm −2 and 20 mA cm −2 as a bifunctional catalyst and as an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) exclusive catalyst, respectively. Discharge performance is stable over 200 cycles at 20 mA cm −2 when used exclusively for ORR with a discharge‐charge efficiency superior to Pt−Ru when coupled with electrodeposited Co−Fe as the OER catalyst (efficiency of 59 % after cycling).