Surface modification and electrochemical performance of KMnO4-ultra-surface area activated carbon (USAC) composites as cathode material

• Published in: Hanʼguk Seramik Hakhoe chi 2020-09, Vol.57 (5), p.585-596
• Main Authors: Otgonbayar, Zambaga, Fatema, K amrun Nahar, Rafat, Md Nazmodduha, Ryu, Jihyeon, Yang, Sun-Hye, Kim, Ick-Jun, Oh, Won-Chun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Glass; Materials Science; Natural Materials; Original Article
• ISSN: 1229-7801; 2234-0491
• DOI: 10.1007/s43207-020-00057-6

The goal of this study was to analyse the impact of a combination of a sub-active material (KMnO 4 ) with surface modification to the activated carbon surface for enhanced cathode performance. Activated carbon with ultra-specific surface area (USAC, TCK-PBM, 2560.4 m 2 /g) was used for the preparation of our composite with potassium permanganate (KMnO 4 ). The physical characteristics of this As-treated USAC sample were analysed through XRD, SEM and EDX analysis. The XRD analysis was used to examine structural properties; surface analysis undertaken by SEM; EDX analysis was used to measure the metal content of the sample as well as the content after treatment with KMnO 4 . It was shown USAC treated with KMnO 4 had more than a 10.5 μg acidic group by the Boehm titration method. The electrochemical properties of KMnO 4 -USAC were investigated for varying electrolyte concentration (0.1, 0.5, 1.2 and 6 M) at ambient temperature (25 °C) and the electrode showed great electrochemical performance after ten cycles.