Air electrode supported manganese electrocatalysts for neutral electrolyte magnesium air cell

The catalysts of air electrode were prepared by sintering the active carbon loaded with manganese nitrate and potassium permanganate at 360 °C The air electrode was made up of a catalyst layer, a waterproof and gas-permeable layer, a current collecting substrate and a second waterproof and gas-permeable layer. The cell was assembled by the air electrode, pure magnesium anode and 10% NaCl solution used as electrolyte. The microstructures of air electrodes before and after discharging were characterized by SEM. The electrochemical behaviors of the air electrodes were determined by means of polarization curves, volt-ampere curves and constant current discharge curves. The polarization voltage of air electrode is—173 mV (vs SCE) at the current density of 50 mA/cm². The air electrodes exhibits good activity and stability in neutral electrolyte. The magnesium-air cell could work at 5 W for more than 7 h.