Preparation and electrochemical characterization of cobalt-manganese oxide as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors

Cobalt-manganese oxide materials (CMOs) were prepared by chemical method and heat treated at 150, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 °C, respectively. The physical and electrochemical properties of the materials were characterized. The heat treatment process leads to the removal of water molecules adsorbed on the surface of CMO particles (below 400 °C) and the progressive reduction of Mn and Co ions from Mn⁴⁺ and Co³⁺ to Mn³⁺/Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺, respectively (440-1000 °C). CMOs obtained by treatment below 800 °C have poor crystallinity and a highly crystallized tetragonal phase by treatment at 1000 °C. The ratio of Mn and Co in CMOs is found by EDX analysis to be about 2:1. The electrochemical testing results indicate that the high crystallization of CMO is disadvantageous for the energy storage as electrode material of electrochemical capacitors. However, for CMOs with poor crystallinity, relatively high specific capacitances can be obtained. The incorporation of protons and ions into the CMO's lattice during electrochemical charge/discharge process leads to the distortion of crystal lattice and improvement of crystallinity of CMO. The XRD patterns show that negative electrode (NE) and positive electrode (PE) have tetragonal (Co, Mn)(Mn, Co)₂O₄ phase.