Keywords: sulfuric acid electrolyte

Electrochemical production of manganese dioxide from sulfuric acid electrolyte

https://doi.org/10.58224/2619-0575-2024-7-3-64-77
Abstract
This paper investigates the process of electrochemical production of manganese dioxide from a 10% sulfuric acid electrolyte leaching the active mass of spent manganese-zinc chemical power sources. The relevance of the topic is due to the wide application of MnO2 in modern industry and the need to develop efficient methods for obtaining it from secondary raw materials. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of electrolyte temperature and ultrasonic treatment on the properties and sizes of the obtained manganese dioxide particles. The experimental methodology included electrolysis in a three-electrode cell with temperature variation from 30°C to 90°C and current density of 3-5 A/dm2. Ultrasonic treatment of the electrolyte was carried out at a frequency of 20 kHz. The obtained MnO2 samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy-dispersive analysis. The results showed that increasing the electrolyte temperature leads to an increase in the size of manganese dioxide particles from 0.2 to 5-10 microns. The introduction of ultrasound allows obtaining highly dispersed MnO2 with crystallite sizes of less than 50 nm. The maximum current yield (92%) is achieved at 60°C and a current density of 5 A/dm2. The practical significance of the work is associated with the possibility of obtaining nanostructured manganese dioxide with improved electrochemical characteristics from spent raw materials. Further research will be aimed at optimizing the parameters of electrolysis and ultrasonic treatment to control the morphology and properties of MnO2.
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