title: Morphological modification of alpha-MnO2 catalyst for use in Li/air batteries.
abstract: Single crystal alpha-MnO2 nanowires and nanopowders have been successfully synthesized in order to facilitate a comparison of their catalytic activity for use in Li-air batteries. The importance of the morphological modification of the alpha-MnO2 catalyst for facilitating electrochemical reactions between Li and O2 is addressed. Distinctive catalytic activity of alpha-MnO2 is observed, which is in line with its different morphologies. The catalytic activity significantly affects the reversible capacity of Li-air batteries. A high aspect ratio, large surface area and good dispersibility of alpha-MnO2 in the nanowire form are advantageous providing larger active surfaces for promoting the fundamental reactions in Li-air batteries. We also introduce a robustly designed air-electrode composed of highly porous carbon and nanostructured alpha-MnO2 catalysts, with employs a metal foam current collector to ensure sufficient air-permeability and to maximize electronic conduction during cycles. Our suggestions should prove helpful in forming a basis for further investigations in developing advanced Li-air batteries.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Batteries Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 463-816, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Sik
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jae-Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ki Jae
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Goojin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Young-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D002384:Catalysis; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry*; D017895:Manganese Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D017895:Manganese Compounds; D010087:Oxides; D008094:Lithium; C016552:manganese dioxide