Li/air batteries: the role of pure and doped MnO2 loading in the cathodic material

According to its electrochemical and thermodynamic properties, manganese and its oxides [1] are good candidates as materials for positive pole of Li/air batteries [2,3], because it is stable in organic electrolytes and is reasonable in cost. The addition of an electrocatalysts to the cathode material is essential to help the removal of the Li oxides (Li2O2 and Li2O) in the charge cycle, which can clog the cathode pores thus reducing the performance and lifetime of the batteries. Up to now electrolytic MnO2 has been used in this purpose, but the performance of the cathode material added with this oxide is still not enough to guarantee long life cycles to the Li/Air batteries. The present communication aims at evaluating the role of pure and differently doped (silver and tin species) MnO2 nanopowders, prepared via hydrothermal method, in affecting the final electrochemical performances of the batteries. Further various MnO2/ordered mesoporous carbon mixtures have been considered in order to investigate the MnO2 loading on the cathode behavior.