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Microtube‐Membrane Methodology for Electrochemical Synthesis and Study of Electroactive and Ionically Conductive Materials, and the Conductivity of MnO 2
Author(s) -
Experton Juliette,
Wu Xiaojian,
Wang Gelan,
Martin Charles R.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201801010
Subject(s) - membrane , electrolyte , ionic conductivity , materials science , dispersity , electrochemistry , ionic bonding , conductivity , chemical engineering , intercalation (chemistry) , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , electrode , chemistry , ion , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
A membrane‐based methodology for electrochemical synthesis and study of electroactive and ionically conductive materials is described. The Li + ‐intercalation material MnO 2 was used to demonstrate this methodology. The membrane was a polymeric support containing monodisperse gold microtubes (diameter 600 nm) that span the thickness of the membrane. Bipolar electrochemical synthesis of MnO 2 , from Mn 2+ solutions, was conducted across this membrane, resulting in deposition of monodisperse, hemispherical MnO 2 particles at the open ends of the tubes on one face of the membrane. The resulting microtube/MnO 2 composite membrane makes a convenient construct for investigating the transport properties of the MnO 2 particles. This was accomplished by mounting the membrane in a U‐tube cell, placing electrolyte solutions on either side, and driving an ionic current through the membrane. The ionic conductivity of MnO 2 was measured in this way, and found to be 40±10 μS cm −1 when LiCl or LiClO 4 solutions were used as the electrolyte. The mechanism of ionic conductivity through these MnO 2 particles is discussed.