First-principles study of the structure of stoichiometric and Mn-deficient MnO2

We present an extensive Density Functional Theory study on the phases and magnetic states of MnO₂, with over 300 calculations of various Mn-vacancy configurations and magnetic spin states. It is shown that the paramagnetic extrapolations of spin-polarized results are essential to correctly reproduce pyrolusite as the ground state of MnO₂. Paramagnetic energies are obtained by fitting a Heisenberg Hamiltonian to the energy of 10-20 magnetic configurations for each of 16 possible MnO₂ polymorphs. Near groundstate degeneracy is shown to occur due to the frustration of otherwise large interactions. While many other structures are found to be near degenerate in energy with pyrolusite, no thermal disorder exists in the system up to several thousand degrees. The thermal disorder is suppressed because the strong correlation of the Mn-vacancy order along the lines of face-sharing octahedra removes any low-energy excitations from the system. Mn vacancies compensated by protons (Ruetschi defects), ubiquitously present in commercial MnO₂, are shown to have a dramatic effect on phase stability. The stabilizing effects of Ruetschi defects may explain the presence in MnO₂ of ramsdellite and twinning, both of which are unstable in the pure material. We believe Ruetschi defects to be an important source of the structural complexity of synthetic MnO₂ produced either electrochemically or chemically.     

(2)H MAS NMR studies of the manganese dioxide tunnel structures and hydroxides used as cathode materials in primary batteries

Variable-temperature (2)H MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the local environments and mobility of deuterons in the manganese dioxide tunnel structures. Five systems were investigated: electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), the model compounds groutite and manganite, and deuterium intercalated ramsdellite and pyrolusite. Ruetschi deuterons, located in the cation vacancy sites in EMD, were detected by NMR and give rise to a resonance at 150 ppm at room temperature. These deuterons are rigid on the (2)H MAS NMR time scale (i.e., the correlation time for motion, tau(c), is >10(-3) s) at room temperature, but start to become mobile above 150 degrees C. No Coleman protons (in the so-called 1 x 1 and 1 x 2 tunnels in EMD) were observed. Much larger (2)H NMR hyperfine shifts of approximately 300 and approximately 415 ppm were observed for the deuterons in the tunnel structures of manganite and groutite, which could be explained by considering the different bonding arrangements for deuterons in the 1 x 1 and 1 x 2 tunnels. The smaller shift of the EMD deuterons was primarily ascribed to the smaller number of manganese ions in the deuterium local coordination sphere. Experiments performed as a function of intercalation level for ramsdellite suggest that the 1 x 1 tunnels are more readily intercalated in highly defective structures. The almost identical shifts seen as a function of intercalation level for deuterons in both 1 x 1 and 1 x 2 tunnels are consistent with the localization of the e(g) electrons near the intercalated deuterium atoms. A Curie-Weiss-like temperature dependence for the hyperfine shifts of EMD and groutite was observed with temperature, but very little change in the shift of the manganite deuterons was observed, consistent with the strong antiferromagnetic correlations that exist above the Néel temperature for this compound. These different temperature dependences could be used to identify manganite-like domains within the sample of groutite, which could not be detected by X-ray diffraction.     

Environmentally Friendly γ‐MnO2 Hexagon‐Based Nanoarchitectures: Structural Understanding and Their Energy‐Saving Applications

Although about 200,000 metric tons of γ‐MnO₂ are used annually worldwide for industrial applications, the γ‐MnO₂ structure is still known to possess a highly ambiguous crystal lattice. To better understand the γ‐MnO₂ atomic structure, hexagon‐based nanoarchitectures were successfully synthesized and used to elucidate its internal structure for the present work. The structural analysis results, obtained from the hexagon‐based nanoarchitectures, clearly show the coexistence of akhtenskite (ε‐MnO₂), pyrolusite (β‐MnO₂), and ramsdellite in the so‐called γ‐MnO₂ phase and verified the heterogeneous phase assembly of the γ‐MnO₂ state, which violates the well‐known “De Wolff” model and derivative models, but partially accords with Heuer's results. Furthermore, heterogeneous γ‐MnO₂ assembly was found to be a metastable structure under hydrothermal conditions, and the individual components of the heterogeneous γ‐MnO₂ system have structural similarities and a high lattice matches with pyrolusite (β‐MnO₂). The as‐obtained γ‐MnO₂ nanoarchitectures are nontoxic and environmentally friendly, and the application of such nanoarchitectures as support matrices successfully mitigates the common problems for phase‐change materials of inorganic salts, such as phase separation and supercooling‐effects, thereby showing prospect in energy‐saving applications in future “smart‐house” systems.     

Structural-chemical disorder of manganese dioxides 1. Influence on surface properties at the solid-electrolyte interface

Relationships between lattice parameters of manganese dioxides and their surface properties at the solid-aqueous solution interface were investigated. The studied series ranged from ramsdellite to pyrolusite and encompassed disordered MD samples. The structural model used takes into account structural defects: Pr (rate of pyrolusite intergrowth) and Tw (rate of microtwinning). Water adsorption isotherms showed that the cross sectional area of water molecules adsorbed in the first monolayer is positively correlated to Pr. Titration of the surface charge of the MD series evidenced a positive linear relationship between the PZC and Pr (Pr=0, Tw=0, PZC=1 for ramsdellite; Pr=1, Tw=0, PZC=7.3 for pyrolusite; gamma-MD with intermediate values of Pr (0.2 to 0.45) have increasing PZC values). The rate of microtwinning appeared as a secondary factor for the increase of the PZC. The above correlations are explained by the chemical defects at the origin of the structural disorder, respectively Mn(3+)/Mn4+ substitution for Pr and Mn vacancies for Tw, which result in proton affinity and thus in increased PZC. The experimental results are compared with data collected in the literature for manganese dioxides as well as for dioxides of transition elements with tetragonal structure.     

Proton/Mg2+ Co-Insertion Chemistry in Aqueous Mg-Ion Batteries: From the Interface to the Inner

Co-insertion of protons happens widely and enables divalent-ion aqueous batteries to achieve high performances. However, detailed investigations and comprehensive understandings of proton co-insertion are scarce. Herein, we demonstrate that proton co-insertion into tunnel materials is determined jointly by interface derivation and inner diffusion: at the interface, hdrated Mg²⁺ has poor insertion kinetics, and therefore accumulates and hydrolyzes to produce protons; in the tunnels, co-inserted/lattice H₂O molecules block the Mg²⁺ diffusion while facilitate the proton diffusion. When monoclinic vanadium dioxide (VO₂(B)) anode is tested in Mg(CH₃COO)₂ aqueous solution, the formation of Mg-rich solid electrolyte interphase on the VO₂(B) electrode and co-insertion of derived protons are probed; in the tunnels, the diffusion energy barrier of Mg²⁺+H₂O is 2.7 eV, while that of the protons is 0.37 eV. Thus, protons dominate the subsequent insertion and inner diffusion. As a consequence, the VO₂(B) achieves a high capacity of 257.0 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹, a high rate retention of 59.1 % from 1 to 8 A g⁻¹, and stable cyclability of 3000 times with a capacity retention of 81.5 %. This work provides an in-depth understanding of the proton co-insertion and may promote the development of rechargeable aqueous batteries.     

Structural-chemical disorder of manganese dioxides II. Influence on textural properties

Relationships between structural parameters of MnO2 and their surface properties at the solid-gas interface were investigated. The studied series ranged from ramsdellite to pyrolusite and encompassed disordered gamma-MnO2 samples. The structural model used takes into account structural defects: Pr (rate of pyrolusite intergrowth in the ramsdellite network) and Tw (rate of microtwinning). Analysis of the N2 adsorption isotherm evidenced positive correlations between specific surface area and Tw for gamma-MnO2 only and between the energetic constant C and (1-Pr). No microporosity is evidenced. Water adsorption isotherms evidenced the dependence of the H2O monolayer volume on Tw and showed a positive correlation between the cross-section area of water molecules adsorbed in the first monolayer and Pr, ranging from 13.5 A2 for Pr=1 to 6.3 A2 for Pr=0.2 (12 sites/nm2). Energetic heterogeneity is quantified from Ar and N2 low-pressure adsorption isotherms with the DIS procedure and correlated with H2O adsorption. High-energy adsorption domains are quantified and assigned to the different crystal faces: (110) faces with a common 1 x 1 octahedra layer of pyrolusite and ramsdellite and the (001) face of ramsdellite with 2 x 2 octahedra on which channels and plateaus are differentiated. The specific surface area ratio of ramsdellite high-energy sites to total ramsdellite content is shown to depend on Tw. The dependence on microtwinning of low cross-sectional area of N2 and much lower cross-sectional of residual H2O molecules leads us to assume that their adsorption sites on grain boundaries are represented by the twin planes between the structured nanocrystals generated by oxygen evolution during MD synthesis.     

Al and/or Ni-doped nanomanganese dioxide with anisotropic expansion and their electrochemical characterisation in primary Li–MnO2 batteries

A variety of MnO₂ nanorods containing one or two transition metals (M) (with M?=?Al and/or Ni) have been successfully synthesised via a facile hydrothermal synthesis route. The physical–chemical properties and electrochemical performance of manganese oxide were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET), galvanostatic discharge and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The result indicated that α-type MnO₂ was obtained, and a small quantity of Al and/or Ni were embedded into the crystal lattice of manganese oxide instead of the partial Mn ion, which resulted in anisotropic expansion of the MnO₂ unit cell. The doping of Al can strengthen Mn–O bonds in the [MnO₆] octahedral and increases the specific surface area of the modified material (i.e., Al–MnO₂ is 119 m² g^?1). Interestingly, MnO₂ electrode co-doped with equimolar Al and Ni exhibited the highest specific capacity of 169 mAh g^?1 at 0.05 mA cm^?2. The substantial enhancement of the electrochemical lithium storage capacity was due to the ameliorating of integrative factors, such as high specific surface area, excellent lattice parameters and lower electrical resistance, as well as short Li⁺ and electron transport length. In addition, a more stable host skeleton also guaranteed an endurable Li⁺ intercalation behaviour during the discharge process.     

Recycling Application of Li–MnO2 Batteries as Rechargeable Lithium–Air Batteries

The ever‐increasing consumption of a huge quantity of lithium batteries, for example, Li–MnO₂ cells, raises critical concern about their recycling. We demonstrate herein that decayed Li–MnO₂ cells can be further utilized as rechargeable lithium–air cells with admitted oxygen. We further investigated the effects of lithiated manganese dioxide on the electrocatalytic properties of oxygen‐reduction and oxygen‐evolution reactions (ORR/OER). The catalytic activity was found to be correlated with the composition of Li_xMnO₂ electrodes (0<x<1) generated in situ in aprotic Li–MnO₂ cells owing to tuning of the Mn valence and electronic structure. In particular, modestly lithiated Li_0.50MnO₂ exhibited superior performance with enhanced round‐trip efficiency (ca. 76 %), high cycling ability (190 cycles), and high discharge capacity (10 823 mA h g_carbon^?1). The results indicate that the use of depleted Li–MnO₂ batteries can be prolonged by their application as rechargeable lithium–air batteries.     

The Role of Alkali Metal in α‐MnO2 Catalyzed Ammonia‐Selective Catalysis

The unexpected phenomenon and mechanism of the alkali metal involved NH₃ selective catalysis are reported. Incorporation of K⁺ (4.22 wt %) in the tunnels of α‐MnO₂ greatly improved its activity at low temperature (50–200 °C, 100 % conversion of NO_x vs. 50.6 % conversion over pristine α‐MnO₂ at 150 °C). Experiment and theory demonstrated the atomic role of incorporated K⁺ in α‐MnO₂. Results showed that K⁺ in the tunnels could form a stable coordination with eight nearby O atoms. The columbic interaction between the trapped K⁺ and O atoms can rearrange the charge population of nearby Mn and O atoms, thus making the topmost five‐coordinated unsaturated Mn cations (Mn_5c, the Lewis acid sites) more positive. Therefore, the more positively charged Mn_5c can better chemically adsorb and activate the NH₃ molecules compared with its pristine counterpart, which is crucial for subsequent reactions.     

MnO2-0.39IrOx复合氧化物用于酸性介质中水氧化反应的性能

通过Adams方法成功制备MnO₂-0.39IrO_x(0.39为Ir/Mn的原子比)催化剂并将其用于酸性介质中高效析氧反应(OER)。电化学测试发现,MnO₂-0.39IrO_x仅需253 mV的过电势即可驱动10 mA·cm^-2的水氧化电流密度,并可稳定运行200 h。在1.50 V(vs RHE)电势下,MnO₂-0.39IrO_x的贵金属Ir的质量活性为61.3 mA·mg^-1,是IrO₂的35.8倍,说明MnO₂掺杂大大提升了贵金属利用率。结构分析发现MnO₂-0.39IrO_x独特的片状结构大幅度提高了催化剂的电化学活性表面积,并且Ir位点与Mn位点之间存在一定的电子相互作用。催化过程分析表明,MnO₂-0.39IrO_x表面出现一定的重构现象,并且Mn组分对Ir位点的化学环境实现了持续优化,从而实现了催化剂的高效酸性OER性能。     

现场紫外-可见吸收光谱研究电解二氧化锰的还原过程

应用现场紫外 可见吸收光谱研究碱性溶液中电解MnO2(EMD)放电机理.结果表明,对EMD电极的放电还原,包括两个单电子过程,其第1电子还原又分为3步:①还原MnO2颗粒表面和阳离子空位附近的Mn4+离子,②还原斜方锰矿中的Mn4+离子,③还原软锰矿中的Mn4+离子.第2电子还原是将溶解的Mn3+还原成Mn2+,进一步转化成Mn(OH)2和Mn3O4.     

DTA studies on preparation of MnSO4 by reacting pyrite and pyrolusite at high temperatures

The preparation of MnSO₄ by reacting pyrolusite at high temperatures with SO₂ generated from pyrite was followed by DTA, and the process conditions were optimized to fix the minimum time and temperature of reaction required to obtain the maximum yield of pure MnSO₄ from stoichiometric amounts of reactants in a natural draught of air. The presence of MnO and Fe₃O₄ in the reaction products, detected by DTA, indicates that the SO₂ is initially oxidized to SO₃ by reducing MnO₂, Mn₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ to MnO and Fe₃O₄. SO₃ finally attacks MnO to form MnSO₄. When an intimate stoichiometric blend of pyrite and pyrolusite is heated at temperatures ranging from 873 K to 973 K for 3 hrs, about 93% of the Mn is converted to ironfree MnSO₄.     

Vacancy Engineering of Iron‐Doped W18O49 Nanoreactors for Low‐Barrier Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a promising energy‐efficient and low‐emission alternative to the traditional Haber–Bosch process. Usually, the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the reaction barrier of ambient electrochemical NRR are significant challenges, making a simultaneous high NH₃ formation rate and high Faradic efficiency (FE) difficult. To give effective NRR electrocatalysis and suppressed HER, the surface atomic structure of W₁₈O₄₉, which has exposed active W sites and weak binding for H₂, is doped with Fe. A high NH₃ formation rate of 24.7 μg h^?1 mg_cat^?1 and a high FE of 20.0 % are achieved at an overpotential of only ?0.15 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode. Ab initio calculations reveal an intercalation‐type doping of Fe atoms in the tunnels of the W₁₈O₄₉ crystal structure, which increases the oxygen vacancies and exposes more W active sites, optimizes the nitrogen adsorption energy, and facilitates the electrocatalytic NRR.     

尖晶石锂锰氧结构中的氧缺陷及其修复方法

研究了氧缺陷型尖晶石锂锰氧化物的结构与电化学性能, 根据缺陷化学理论提出了弥补氧缺陷的办法. X射线衍射(XRD)结果表明, 在真空条件下于750 ℃焙烧不同时间后锂锰氧化物主要物相仍可保持尖晶石结构, 并伴随有少量Mn₃O₄和Li₂MnO₃杂相. 充放电测试及交流阻抗结果表明, 锂锰氧化物材料的放电容量随氧缺陷的增加而降低, 随着氧缺陷的增大, 表面膜阻抗及电荷传递阻抗增大、锂离子在锂锰氧固体中的嵌入与累积量减小使电化学性能恶化. 加入LiOH•H₂O和通入氧气焙烧可在一定程度上修复氧缺陷.     

A Comparison of NO Reduction Over Mn–Cu/ZSM5 and Mn–Cu/MWCNTs Catalysts Assisted by Plasma at Ambient Temperature

Manganese–copper bimetal oxide catalysts supported on ZSM5 and acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were produced by incipient wetness impregnation for selective catalytic reduction of NO with dielectric barrier discharge plasma. Plasma can activate molecules even at ambient temperature, generating active oxygen species such as O, O₃, and HO₂ radicals, which can oxidize NO to NO₂ effectively. The SCR activity of Mn–Cu/MWCNTs was studied and compared to that of the Mn–Cu/ZSM5. The obtained samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, ICP, H₂-TPR, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The results show that Mn–Cu/MWCNTs catalyst possesses NO removal activity superior to that of the Mn–Cu/ZSM5 catalyst. MWCNTs-based catalyst attains NO removal efficiency of 88% at 480 J/L, while the ZSM5-supported catalyst achieves NO removal efficiency of 82% at the same energy density. The oxygen content increased from 3.33 to 19.07% on the nanotube surface after introducing Mn and Cu, which almost remained unchanged on ZSM5. The oxygen-containing functionalities are important for NO_x adsorption and removal. Moreover, the characterization revealed that CuO is the main phase of copper oxide, but copper dispersion decreases on Mn–Cu/ZSM5 surface because of the formation of copper dimer species. The manganese is well-dispersed on the catalysts, MnO₂ and Mn₂O₃ contents of Mn–Cu/MWCNTs are larger than that of Mn–Cu/ZSM5, MnO₂ is the predominant phase of manganese oxide.     

1.2 Volt manganese oxide symmetric supercapacitor

Capacitance fading of MnO₂ supercapacitor electrode under negative polarization below 0.0 V (versus Ag/AgCl/sat. KCl_(aq)) arises from extensive reduction of Mn(IV) to form inactive Mn(II) species, and this has typically limited the operating voltage window of an aqueous symmetric MnO₂ supercapacitor to be no greater than 0.8 V. As this lower potential limit is close to the onset potential of MnO₂-catalyzed oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the fading problem can be alleviated by effectively passing the accumulated electrons in the oxide electrode to the dissolved oxygen molecules in electrolyte in order to avoid the formation of the surface Mn(II) species. This has been demonstrated by either increasing the dissolved oxygen content or using the Ti(IV)/Ti(III) redox couple in the electrolyte as a charge-transfer mediator to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of MnO₂ for ORR. Therefore, a MnO₂ symmetric supercapacitor showing remarkable cycling stability over an operating voltage window of 1.2 V has been achieved by using Ti(IV)-containing neutral electrolyte (1 M KCl_(aq)).     

Low Temperature Hydrothermal Synthesis of MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoclusters as Positive Material of RAM Batteries

MnO₂ nanoclusters were synthesized by a low temperature hydrothermal method. In the presented procedure, MnO₂ was precipitated by oxidation of manganese sulfate solution upon addition of ammonium persulfate solution. The synthesized sample was characterized by SEM and XRD. Optimized nanoclusters with needle diameters of 30 nm were synthesized by mixing of manganese sulfate solution (0.8 M) with ammonium persulfate solution (0.7 M) in sulfuric acid media (0.8 M) at constant temperature of 80 °C. Effect of solid state lithium sulfate treatment on the phase composition, particle size and morphology of the obtained MnO₂ nanoclusters was studied at different temperatures. The obtained results showed that lithium salt can changes MnO₂ nanoclusters morphology without any intercalation. Discharge capacity and cycle life of the synthesized MnO₂ nanoclusters as positive materials of RAM battery (Zn–MnO₂ battery), before and after treatment with lithium sulfate were studied. MnO₂ nanopowder showed average discharge capacity of 190 mA.h/g (with respect to MnO₂ weight) during 3 first discharges. Lithium sulfate-treated powder showed higher discharge capacity (160 mA.h/g) and shorter cycle life than the untreated powder.     

La1-xCaxMnO3纳米颗粒的制备及氧还原催化性能

本文采用溶胶凝胶法制备了一系列不同Ca含量的钙钛矿型氧化物La_1-xCa_xMnO₃(x=0~0.4)纳米颗粒, X射线粉末衍射及精修、扫描电镜表征显示其相纯度和结晶度高, 颗粒平均粒径约40 nm。在0.1 mol·L^-1 KOH水溶液中进行的氧还原电催化性能测试显示, La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃样品催化活性最高, 表观电子转移数接近4, 还原电流密度与Pt/C催化剂相当, 而催化稳定性优于Pt/C。进一步研究了La_1-xCa_xMnO₃样品中Mn价态、晶胞参数的改变对氧还原催化活性的影响, 结果表明当x=0.3时, 催化剂中Mn处于混合价态, Mn-O键长适中, 最有利于电催化反应。     

La1-xCaxMnO3纳米颗粒的制备及氧还原催化性能

本文采用溶胶凝胶法制备了一系列不同Ca含量的钙钛矿型氧化物La1-xCaxMnO3(x=0~0.4)纳米颗粒,X射线粉末衍射及精修、扫描电镜表征显示其相纯度和结晶度高,颗粒平均粒径约40 nm。在0.1 mol.L-1KOH水溶液中进行的氧还原电催化性能测试显示,La0.7Ca0.3MnO3样品催化活性最高,表观电子转移数接近4,还原电流密度与Pt/C催化剂相当,而催化稳定性优于Pt/C。进一步研究了La1-xCaxMnO3样品中Mn价态、晶胞参数的改变对氧还原催化活性的影响,结果表明当x=0.3时,催化剂中Mn处于混合价态,Mn-O键长适中,最有利于电催化反应。     

On the structural defects in synthetic γ-MnO2s

In the literature, the γ-MnO₂ structure is considered to be that of ramsdellite (R), in which two types of defects exist. The occurrence of a slab of pyrolusite (r) is named a De Wolff defect and random faults r in R give intergrowths of ramsdellite and pyrolusite, which account well for the global features of many experimental diffraction patterns. The other type of defect results from “microtwinning”, which allows the so-called ε-MnO₂ to be put with γ-MnO₂ in the same classification. This paper discusses the previous models of defect and what could be the features of the “microtwinning”, giving for each possible model the corresponding expected features in reciprocal space. The results of a selected area electron diffraction study of rather well crystallized samples of γ-MnO₂ are presented. The splitting of particular diffraction spots and new diffuse intensity are interpreted as the first experimental evidence for “microtwinning”, and a model with orientation variants within microdomains embedded in a “normal” structure is proposed, which is rather different from the previous hypotheses involving parallel twin planes and parallel twin boundaries.