Electrochemical Characterization of MnO$_{\mathrm{\mathbf{2}}}$\textbf{ for Supercapacitor Applications}

Manganese dioxide (MnO$_{\mathrm{2}})$ has been found to be useful in applications involving supercapacitors, due to its high theoretical capacity, environmental compatibility, safety, low environmental toxicity, and cost effectiveness. We have synthesized MnO$_{\mathrm{2}}$ using hydrothermal method. The precursor materials manganese (II) sulfate (MnSO$_{\mathrm{4}})$, potassium permanganate (KMnO$_{\mathrm{4}})$ were dissolved in water and then placed in Teflon lined stainless steel autoclave at 160$^{\mathrm{o}}$C. The resultant precipitate was washed with distilled water and dried at 80$^{\mathrm{o}}$C to obtain MnO$_{\mathrm{2}}$ powder. The phase purity of resulting MnO$_{\mathrm{2}}$ powder were studied using X-ray diffraction and thermal characterizations were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Electrochemical characterization were carried out by studying charge -- discharge and cyclic behavior of MnO$_{\mathrm{2}}$ cathode materials. The electrodes were prepared by coating a slurry of 80{\%} of active materials, 15{\%} carbon black and 5{\%} PVDF binder, onto a Ni mesh. The detailed results and analysis will be presented and discussed during the APS-NES Fall 2017 meeting