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Sheet‐on‐Sheet Hierarchical Nanostructured C@MnO 2 for Zn‐Air and Zn‐MnO 2 Batteries
Author(s) -
Li Bing,
Chai Jianwei,
Ge Xiaoming,
An Tao,
Lim PohChong,
Liu Zhaolin,
Zong Yun
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemnanomat
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.947
H-Index - 32
ISSN - 2199-692X
DOI - 10.1002/cnma.201700043
Subject(s) - materials science , faraday efficiency , chemical engineering , composite number , electrolyte , annealing (glass) , electrochemistry , cathode , catalysis , electrode , nanotechnology , composite material , chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
Sheet‐on‐sheet hierarchical composites, MnO 2 nanosheets on a microsheet of activated eggplant carbon (AEPC), are synthesized by reducing KMnO 4 in its aqueous solution in the presence of AEPC at room temperature followed by thermal annealing in air at 200 °C. This composite, namely AEPC@MnO 2 , shows enhanced catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline electrolyte with high durability. Zn‐air batteries using AEPC@MnO 2 as a catalyst in the cathode are found to deliver high discharge voltage and survive long‐term cycling. The sheet‐on‐sheet hierarchical composite with high surface area also equips Zn‐MnO 2 batteries with high capacity, high rate capability, high coulombic efficiency and decent cycling stability. The simple preparation and versatile functions make AEPC@MnO 2 a promising candidate for electrode materials for a range of practical applications.