Korean Chemical Engineering Research

The Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers (한국화학공학회)
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Recycled Mn3O4 from Spent Manganese Batteries as Electrocatalysts for Lithium-Air Batteries with Water Release Prevention

폐망간전지에서 재활용된 Mn3O4의 수분 방출 방지 특성을 활용한 리튬-공기 전지 촉매 응용

  • Da Eun Han (Department of Petrochemical Materials, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Hyunwoo Koo (Department of Petrochemical Materials, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Gun Woo Jang (Department of Petrochemical Materials, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Yoon Seung Kwak (Department of Petrochemical Materials, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Ye Rim Oh (Department of Petrochemical Materials, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Hee Soo Kim (Low-Carbon Energy Group, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH)) ;
  • Won Ho Choi (Department of Petrochemical Materials, Chonnam National University)
  • 한다은 (전남대학교 석유화학소재공학과) ;
  • 구현우 (전남대학교 석유화학소재공학과) ;
  • 장건우 (전남대학교 석유화학소재공학과) ;
  • 곽윤승 (전남대학교 석유화학소재공학과) ;
  • 오예림 (전남대학교 석유화학소재공학과) ;
  • 김희수 (한국생산기술연구원 저탄소에너지그룹) ;
  • 최원호 (전남대학교 석유화학소재공학과)
  • Received : 2025.01.04
  • Accepted : 2025.02.04
  • Published : 2025.05.01
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Abstract

Mn3O4 extracted from spent manganese batteries demonstrated stable performance as an electrocatalyst for lithium-air batteries. Mn3O4 forms a stable spinel structure that prevents ad itional water release during the discharge process, effectively mitigating electrode corrosion and electrolyte side reactions while ensuring reliable cycling performance. Compared to γ-MnO2, Mn3O4 exhibits a gentler initial charging curve, suggesting superior electrocatalytic activity for Li2O2 decomposition. Furthermore, Mn3O4 maintained consistent performance for 30 cycles, whereas γ-MnO2 showed significant discharge instability after 18 cycles. These findings underscore that Mn3O4 prevents water release through its intrinsic structural stability, reducing operational instability while providing both cost-effective and durable catalytic performance. Moreover, this study highlights the feasibility of Mn3O4 as an electrocatalyst for the efficient recycling of spent manganese batteries and its real-world application in lithium-air batteries.

폐망간 전지에서 추출한 Mn3O4는 리튬-공기 전지의 전기화학 촉매로 활용되어 안정적인 성능을 보였다. Mn3O4는 안정적인 스피넬 구조를 형성하여 방전 과정에서 추가적인 수분 방출이 없으며, 이는 전극 부식 및 전해질 부반응을 방지하고 안정적인 사이클 성능을 제공한다. Mn3O4는 γ-MnO2에 비해 완만한 초기 충전 곡선을 보여주며, 이는 Mn3O4가 Li2O2를 분해하기 위한 전기 촉매 활성이 있음을 나타낸다. 또한, Mn3O4는 30사이클까지 안정적인 성능을 유지한 반면, γ-MnO2는 18사이클 이후부터 불안정한 방전 용량을 보여준다. 이러한 결과는 Mn3O4가 수분 방출을 소재 구조적으로 방지함으로써 전지의 불안정성을 최소화하고 경제성과 내구성을 겸비한 촉매로써 활용가능함을 보여준다. 더나아가, 폐망간 전지의 효율적 재활용 및 리튬-공기 전지 실용화를 위한 새로운 기술적 가능성을 제시한다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the H2KOREA funded by the Ministry of Education (2024 Hydrogen Industry-005, Innovative Human Resources Development Project for Hydrogen Industry), the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (RS-2021-NR062025), Chonnam National University (Grant number: 2024-0504), and the Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS) through NRF funded by the Ministry on Education (MOE) (2021RIS-002).

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