Synergistic effect of additives on electrochemical properties of MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> cathode in aqueous rechargeable batteries

The synergistic effect of bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) + titanium disulphide (TiS₂) additives in different proportions into the MnO₂ cathode material is physically modified and tested in a Zn-MnO₂ battery with aqueous LiOH electrolyte. It is found that these foreign cations stabilized the MnO₂ structure upon multiple cycling and the synergistic effect between two additives enhanced the rechargeability. This class of additive modified MnO₂ may be of interest for high-energy density and safer batteries for applications such as electric vehicles. The cyclability of the material suitable for electric vehicle (EV) applications is established in this report. The incorporation of Bi₂O₃ (3 wt.%) and TiS₂ (2 wt.%) additives into the MnO₂ cathode was found to improve the cell performance, this is partly due to the suppression of proton insertion. The results on cyclic voltammetric and charge–discharge studies describing the redox mechanisms in LiOH electrolyte and the role of additives on those redox reactions are discussed and compared with that of traditional KOH electrolyte.     

NOx-Sorbing Metal Oxides, MnOx–CeO2. Oxidative NO Adsorption and NOx–H2 Reaction

(n)MnO_x–(1–n)CeO₂ binary oxides have been studied for the sorptive NO removal and subsequent reduction of NO_x sorbed to N₂ at low temperatures (150 °C). The solid solution with a fluorite-type structure was found to be effective for oxidative NO adsorption, which yielded nitrate (NO^– ₃) and/or nitrite (NO^– ₂) species on the surface depending on temperature, O₂ concentration in the gas feed, and composition of the binary oxide (n). A surface reaction model was derived on the basis of XPS, TPD, and DRIFTS analyses. Redox of Mn accompanied by simultaneous oxygen equilibration between the surface and the gas phase promoted the oxidative NO adsorption. The reactivity of the adsorbed NO_x toward H₂ was examined for MnO_x–CeO₂ impregnated with Pd, which is known as a nonselective catalyst toward NO–H₂ reaction in the presence of excess oxygen. The Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ catalyst after saturated by the NO uptake could be regenerated by micropulse injections of H₂ at 150 °C. Evidence was presented to show that the role of Pd is to generate reactive hydrogen atoms, which spillover onto the MnO_x–CeO₂ surface and reduce nitrite/nitrate adsorbing thereon. Because of the lower reducibility of nitrate and the competitive H₂–O₂ combustion, H₂–NO reaction was suppressed to a certain extent in the presence of O₂. Nevertheless, Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ attained 65% NO-conversion in a steady stream of 0.08% NO, 2% H₂, and 6% O₂ in He at as low as 150 °C, compared to ca. 30% conversion for Pd/–Al₂O₃ at the same temperature. The combination of NO_x-sorbing materials and H₂-activation catalysts is expected to pave the way to development of novel NO_x-sorbing catalysts for selective deNO_x at very low temperatures.     

Success and serendipity on achieving high energy density for rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable lithium batteries that use non-aqueous electrolytes may not be suitable for electric vehicle applications, which require safe, inexpensive, and high energy density. In this paper, we showed that reversible lithium intercalation can occur in MnO₂ cathode coupled with Zn anode while using LiOH aqueous electrolyte. This new Zn|LiOH|MnO₂ aqueous rechargeable cell could operate around 1.5 V for multiple cycles and possibly be used in battery packs, are of low cost, and environmentally benign. However, higher energy density, power density, and cycling life of the Zn|LiOH|MnO₂ system are required for exploiting this technology to better compete with the lithium battery counterparts. Serendipitously, high energy density (270 Wh/Kg) that was achieved with physically mixed additives (Bi₂O₃ and TiB₂) on MnO₂ is reported. Physically modified cathode containing multiple additives is shown to be superior in energy density and capacity retention compared to that of the additive-free MnO₂ or carbon-coated MnO₂ using polyvinylpyrrolidone as the source. The role of the additives (Bi₂O₃ and Bi₂O₃?+?TiB₂) in the MnO₂ electrode is found to avoid the formation of unwanted (non-rechargeable) products and to decrease the polarization of the electrode.     

Formation Mechanism of O2– Radical Anions in the Adsorption of NO + O2 and NO2 + O2 Mixtures on ZrO2 According to EPR and TPD Data

The effects of various factors on the formation of O₂ ^– radical anions in the adsorption of an NO + O₂ or NO₂ + O₂ mixture on ZrO₂ were studied. It was found that the thermal stability of the O₂ ^– species depends on the composition of the adsorbed gas. It was suggested that nitrogen oxide complexes on ZrO₂ centers are responsible for the formation of O₂ ^–. These centers are formed upon the treatment of the oxide in a vacuum; however, they are different from both coordinatively unsaturated Zr⁴⁺ cations (NO adsorption centers at 77 K) and Zr⁴⁺–O^––O^––Zr⁴⁺ centers, at which O₂ ^– are formed because of the adsorption of H₂ + O₂. Based on the experimental data, the mechanism of O₂ ^– formation in the adsorption of an NO + O₂ mixture is discussed.     

Reduction Processes in the Course of Mechanochemical Synthesis of Li1+xV3O8

Mechanical activation (MA) of the LiOH+V₂O₅ and Li₂CO₃+V₂O₅ mixtures followed by brief heating at 673 K was used to prepare dispersed Li_1+xV₃O₈. It was shown that structural transformations during MA are accompanied by reduction processes. EPR spectra of Li_1+xV₃O₈ are attributed to vanadyl VO²⁺ ions with weak exchange interaction. The interaction of localized electrons (V⁴⁺ ions) with electron gas (delocalized electrons), which is exhibited through the dependence of EPR line width of vanadium ions versus measurement temperature (C–S–C relaxation), is revealed. It is shown that C–S–C relaxation is different for intermediate and final products. The properties of mechanochemically prepared Li_1+xV₃O₈ are compared with those of HT-Li_1+xV₃O₈, obtained by conventional solid state reaction. Mechanochemically prepared Li_1+xV₃O₈ is characterized by a similar amount of vanadium ions, producing electron gas, but a higher specific surface area.     

Influence of oxidising agents in lead determination by hydride generation direct flame atomic absorption spectroscopy

Summary The influence of Cr₂O₇ ^2–, MnO₄ ^–, Ce⁴⁺, H₂O₂ and S₂O₈ ^2– as oxidising agents in lead determination as volatile covalent hydride using NaBH₄ is reported in this paper.The reaction conditions for every oxidising agents (pH, quantity and concentration of the oxidising agent, quantity and concentration of the NaBH₄ and reaction time) are optimized, determining sensitivity and detection limit by measuring the peak height.The recovery of lead from solution has been measured by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy.A linear relationship the logarithm of absorbance values and the redox potential of the system is obtained with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The results and their interpretation are given in this paper.

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Der Einflu oxidierender Reagentien auf die Bleibestimmung mittels Flammenatomabsorptionsspektrometrie nach Hydridbildung

Zusammenfassung Es wird über den Einfluß der Oxidantien Cr₂O₇, MnO₄ ^–, Ce⁴⁺, H₂O₂ und S₂O₈ ^{2 –} auf die Bleibestimmung als kovalentes Hydrid berichtet. Für jede oxidierende Substanz werden die Reaktionsbedingungen optimiert (pH, Menge und Konzentration des Oxidans, Menge und Konzentration von NaBH₄ und Reaktionszeit), um Empfindlichkeit und Nachweisgrenze durch Peakhöhenauswertung zu bestimmen.Die Wiederfindungsrate wurde durch elektrothermale Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie von Blei in der Lösung bestimmt.Der Zusammenhang zwischen dem Logarithmus der Extinktion und dem Redoxpotential des Oxidans ergibt eine lineare Beziehung mit einem Korrelationskoeffizienten von 0.999. Die Ergebnisse und deren Interpretation werden in dieser Arbeit beschrieben.

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Paper presented to Euroanalysis V. Cracow, August 1984.     

Improved performance of Bi2O3-doped MnO2 cathode on rechargeability in LiOH aqueous cell

Many attempts have been made to make the zinc-manganese dioxide (Zn-MnO₂) alkaline cell rechargeable, but all investigations are pertained to the proton insertion mechanism into MnO₂. In this paper, a new class of rechargeable bismuth oxide-doped MnO₂ electrode in lithium hydroxide (LiOH) electrolyte is described. The doping and the appropriate pH selection of the aqueous electrolyte improved the electrochemical performance of the aqueous cell. Hence, with an aim to understand the role of bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) during the discharge process, doped MnO₂ cathodes are characterized by various techniques like secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The results suggest that the influence of the large radius of the cation (Bi₂O₃; Bi (III) ion (0.96 Å)) cannot be integrated into the spinel structure, thereby, improving the rechargeability. The electrode reaction of doped MnO₂ in LiOH electrolyte is shown to be lithium insertion while preventing the formation of a spinel structure that leads to a major formation of manganese oxy hydroxides.     

Nonenzymatic electrochemical glucose sensor based on MnO2/MWNTs nanocomposite

In this communication, an amperometric glucose biosensor based on MnO₂/MWNTs electrode was reported. MnO₂ was homogeneously coated on vertically aligned MWNTs by electrodeposition. The MnO₂/MWNTs electrode displayed high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose in alkaline solution, showing about 0.30 V negative shift in peak potential with oxidation starting at ca. −0.20 V (vs. 3 M KCl–Ag/AgCl) as compared with bare MWNTs electrode. At an applied potential of +0.30 V, the MnO₂/MWNTs electrode gives a linear dependence (R = 0.995) in the glucose concentration up to 28 mM with a sensitivity of 33.19 μA mM⁻¹. Meanwhile, the MnO₂/MWNTs electrode is also highly resistant toward poisoning by chloride ions. In addition, interference from the oxidation of common interfering species such as ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid is effectively avoided. The MnO₂/MWNTs electrode allows highly sensitive, low-potential, stable, and fast amperometric sensing of glucose, which is promising for the development of nonenzymatic glucose sensor.     

Fabrication and characterization of high performance cathode supported small-scale SOFC for intermediate temperature operation

A high performance small-scale solid oxide fuel cell supported by a microtubular cathode was successfully developed via the extrusion of a (La_0.8Sr_0.2)_0.97MnO₃ cathode support and subsequent surface coating with a (La_0.8Sr_0.2)_0.97MnO₃–Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 activation layer followed by Sc₂O₃-doped ZrO₂ electrolyte and NiO–Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 anode slurries. The cell was electrochemically evaluated in a humidified hydrogen (3% H₂O) atmosphere, and exhibited a stable open circuit voltage above 1.05 V in the temperature range from 550 to 750 °C. Maximum power densities of 46.5, 163.2 and 452.8 mW cm⁻² were generated at 550, 650 and 750 °C, respectively. The results indicate the realization of a stable and high performance cathode-supported micro SOFC.     

The ESR Study of O2 – Radical Anion Formation during Adsorption of an NO + O2 Mixture and O2 on ZrO2 and (0.1–2.0)% MoO3/ZrO2

The influence of conditions of the preliminary thermal treatment of ZrO₂, ammonia and methanol adsorption, and MoO₃ supporting on O₂ ^– formation during the adsorption of an NO + O₂ mixture was studied. The interaction of O₂ ^– with different molecules was studied. Adsorbed ammonia and methanol, as well as supported Mo⁶⁺ ions, were shown to inhibit this reaction. The involvement of the Zr⁴⁺ and O^2– Lewis sites in the reaction was concluded. The interaction of ammonia and methanol with the O₂ ^– radical anions changed the g tensor parameters and decreased the thermal stability of O₂ ^– in the case of methanol. O₂ ^– radical anions were formed on the reduced (0.1–2.0)% MoO₃/ZrO₂ samples during the interaction of O₂ with the Mo⁵⁺ ions in the octahedral configuration. As in the case of O₂ ^– formation during NO + O₂ adsorption on ZrO₂, the radical anions were localized in the coordination spheres of the coordinately unsaturated Zr⁴⁺ ions. A change in the MoO₃ content of the samples from 0.1 to 0.5% led to an increase in the amount of O₂ ^–, whereas a change from 0.5 to 2.0% led to a decrease in the O₂ ^– amount due to the screening of the Zr⁴⁺ ions by oxo complexes and polymolybdates.     

TSL and EPR studies of SrBPO5 doped with CeO2and co-doped with CeO2 and Sm2O3

Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations were carried out on gamma irradiated SrBPO₅ samples doped with CeO₂ and co-doped with CeO₂ and Sm₂O₃. On gamma-irradiation at room temperature, BO₃ ^2–, O₂ ^– and O^– radicals were produced. It was seen that the O^– radical ion disappeared in the sample annealed at 500 K. It is proposed that the recombination between trapped electrons and O^– radical ions results in transfer of recombination energy to the impurity centre Ce³⁺ resulting in TSL glow peak at 485 K. In the case of co-doped samples energy transfer occurs between Ce³⁺ to Sm³⁺ resulting in increase in the intensity of glow peak at 485 K.The authors are grateful to Dr. V. K. Manchanda, Head, Radiochemistry Division, BARC for his keen interest and encouragement during the course of this work.     

TSL and EPR studies of SrBPO5 doped with CeO2 and co-doped with CeO2 and Sm2O3

Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations were carried out on gamma irradiated SrBPO₅ samples doped with CeO₂ and co-doped with CeO₂ and Sm₂O₃. On gamma-irradiation at room temperature, BO₃ ^2–, O₂ ^– and O^– radicals were produced. It was seen that the O^– radical ion disappeared in the sample annealed at 500 K. It is proposed that the recombination between trapped electrons and O^– radical ions results in transfer of recombination energy to the impurity centre Ce³⁺ resulting in TSL glow peak at 485 K. In the case of co-doped samples energy transfer occurs between Ce³⁺ to Sm³⁺ resulting in increase in the intensity of glow peak at 485 K.The authors are grateful to Dr. V. K. Manchanda, Head, Radiochemistry Division, BARC for his keen interest and encouragement during the course of this work.     

Reaction of bis(trimethylsilyl) sulfate with peroxides and oxides

Conclusions Bis(trimethylsilyl) sulfate when reached with Na₂O₂, BaO₂, PbO₂, V₂O₅, MnO₂, gives hexamethyldisiloxane and oxygen (50–80% yield), and the same product when reacted with the oxides of the Group Ib and IIb Metals (CuO, ZnO, CdO, HgO).Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2395–2397, October, 1978.     

Zirconium-Containing Compositions with a Component Ratio Characteristic of the Garnet Structure: Physicochemical and Catalytic Properties

The possibility for the formation of garnet structures in the Mn–Fe–Zr–O and Ca–Sm–Zr–O systems obtained by the precipitation of the corresponding salts is studied. It is shown that, in the Mn–Fe–Zr–O system, garnet is crystallized at 860–920°C, for which probable cation distribution is estimated to be {Zr_2.5 ⁴⁺Mn_0.5 ²⁺}[Mn₂ ²⁺](Fe_2.5 ³⁺Mn_0.5 ³⁺)O₁₂. In the Ca–Sm–Zr–O system, the perovskite CaZrO₃, pyrochlore Sm₂Zr₂O₇, and CaO are formed at 900–1200°C, but compounds with garnet structures are not found. The reported systems are characterized by surface areas of 300–450 m²/g at 450°C, and they have the polydisperse distribution of pores over sizes. The introduction of surfactants at the stage of component mixing enables an increase in the overall pore volume and mechanical strength of these systems. The Mn–Fe–Zr and Ca–Sm–Zr compositions are active catalysts for the complete oxidation of hydrocarbons.     

EPMA of interfaces applied to the solid oxide fuel cell

Chemical interactions at the phase boundaries of materials applied for the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) have been studied by EPMA. The chemical reactivity at the interface of La_y-xSr_xMnO₃/ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ is dependent on the stoichiometry (y) and the Sr content (x) of the perovskite. Typical reaction products (zirconates) and a diffusion zone in the ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ have been observed. The extension of cation release (Mn) is related to the increasing chemical activity of Mn oxide in the perovskite by the Sr substitution for La. The wettability of the metal/oxide interface in the anode cermet (Ni/ZrO₂–Y₂O₃) has been found to be influenced by chemical reactions resulting from the applied reducing atmosphere with high carbon activity. The disintegration of ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ in contact with molten Ni or Ni-Ti and Ni-Cr alloys leads to the redeposition of Y₂O₃-enriched oxides and also to Zr-rich intermetallic compounds and eutectics.     

Alkali metal ion-selective electrodes based on relevant alkali metal ion doped manganese oxides

Potentiometric properties of manganese oxides doped with alkali metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺), which were prepared by heating mixed solutions (starting solution) of each alkali metal and Mn²⁺ ions, were examined. Electrodes based on mixed phases of Nao₄₄MnO₂/Mn₂O₃ and hollandite KMn₈O₁₆/M₂O₃ found by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) exhibited Na⁺- and K⁺-selective responses with a near-Nernstian slope, respectively, when the molar ratio of alkali metal ion to Mn²⁺ ion in the starting solution was 0.1. When no alkali metal ions were added in the manganese oxide films, no significant potentiometric response was observed to any alkali metal ions. The selectivity coefficients of these electrodes were = 6.7 × 10^–2, = 7.1 × 10^–3, < 9 × 10^–4 and < 9x 10^–4 for the Na_0.44MnO₂/Mn₂O₃, and <4 × 10^–4 <4x 10^–4, =60 × 10^–2 ×10^–4, < 4 × 10^–4, for the KMn₈O₁₆/Mn₂O₃, respectively. Electrodes based on manganese oxides made from mixed solutions of Rb⁺/Mn²⁺ and Cs⁺/Mn²⁺ also responded to the respective primary ions, that is, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ ions, although XRD patterns for the manganese oxides thus made did not show any peaks except for Mn₂O₃ (bixbyite); it was concluded in these cases that some amorphous type manganese oxides were formed in the Rb⁺/Mn²⁺ and Cs⁺/Mn²⁺ systems and they responded to the respective ions. Conditioning of these electrodes in an aerated indifferent electrolyte solution, 0.1M tetramethylammonium nitrate (TMA-NO₃), for relatively long time, typically more than 2 hours, was found to be a prerequisite for near-Nernstian response to the respective alkali metal ions. During this electrode conditioning, vacant sites (template) suitable in size for selective uptake of primary ions seemed to be formed by releasing the doped alkali metal ions from the solid phase into the adjacent electrolyte solution accompanying oxidation of the manganese oxide film.     

Phase analysis of high-temperature superconductors by selective dissolution combined with ICP-AES

Summary An apparatus for the selective dissolution as a chemical method of phase analysis and its operating conditions are described. Using ICP-AES as determination method an example for the YBCO system is found in the phase YBa_2–0.04Cu_3+0.03O_x and a BSCCO system is found in three phases of 35.6% Bi₂(Sr,Ca)_4–0.08Cu_3–0.05O_x, 30.1% Bi₂(Sr,Ca)_3–0.09Cu_2–0.08O_x and 34.3% Bi₂(Sr,Ca)_2–0.07Cu_1–0.05O_x.     

Thermostable manganese catalysts for deep oxidation of organic compounds in industrial waste gases

Performance of MnO_x/Al₂O₃ catalytic systems was studied after they were roasted at different temperatures in the range of 650 – 1100°C. The maximum activity of the catalysts was reached when the catalyst roasting temperature was 1000°C. To explain the results, the X-ray diffraction analyses of THE catalysts were performed.     

Low-temperature carbon oxidation in a gradient-free reactor

Measurements have been made on carbon oxidation kinetics at 693–923 K. There are two parallel reactions here: 2C + O₂=2 CO and C + O₂=CO₂, with carbon dioxide formation predominating above 823 K.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 24, No. 6, pp. 757–759, November–December, 1988.     

Effect of metal oxides on the gamma radiolysis of ammonium nitrate

The studies of radiation decomposition of ammonium nitrate in the presence of MnO₂, PbO and V₂O₅ with the absorbed dose reveal that MnO₂ retards while PbO and V₂O₅ accelerate the rate of radiolysis. G/NO ₂ ^– / values were found to increase with the mole% of V₂O₅ in an admixture. The results are explained on the basis of electron donor-acceptor properties of oxides affecting the equilibrium concentration of electrons present in pure ammonium nitrate in the presence of the added oxides.