Synthesis of mesoporous birnessite-MnO2 composite as a cathode electrode for lithium battery

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 2014-01, Vol.116, p.188-193
• Main Authors: Thapa, Arjun Kumar, Pandit, Bill, Thapa, Rajesh, Luitel, Tulashi, Paudel, Hem Sharma, Sumanasekera, Gamini, Sunkara, Mahendra K., Gunawardhana, Nanda, Ishihara, Tatsumi, Yoshio, Masaki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cathode electrode; Cathodes; Current density; Density; Discharge; Electrodes; Lithium batteries; Manganese oxide; Mesoporous; Polythiophene; Surface area
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2013.11.032

•Mesoporous b-MnO2 was successfully synthesized by using a modified interfacial method.•Mesoporous b-MnO2 has a BET specific surface area of 226 m2g−1 with pore diameter of 5. 2nm.•Mesoporous b-MnO2 shows an initial discharge capacity of 305 mAh g−1 at current density of 10mAg−1.•Mesoporous nanostructure with high crystallinity can improve electrochemical performance. Mesoporous polythiophene birnessite (b)-MnO2 has been synthesized by a modified interfacial method to develop cathode electrode materials for lithium batteries. The N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm test of mesoporous polythiophene MnO2 shows a type IV hysteresis loop, which is characteristic of a mesoporous structure. Mesoporous polythiophene MnO2 has a high surface area of 226 m2g−1 with a pore diameter of 5.2nm The mesoporous polythiophene b-MnO2 cathode electrode for Li-ion battery exhibited an initial discharge capacity of 305 mAh g−1 at a current density of 10mAg−1, which is almost equal to its theoretical capacity. When applying a current of 300mAg−1, mesoporous polythiophene MnO2 electrode shows the initial discharge capacity of 211 mAh g−1, which is 69% of its theoretical capacity. Mesoporous polythiophene MnO2 shows high capacity and good cycle stability even at high current densities due to its high surface area and fast Li-ion diffusion path.