Optimization and ex-situ characterization of MnHCF electrodes for ZIBs

Manganese hexacyanoferrate (MnHCF) was synthesized with a simple co-precipitation method. The slurries in 3 ratios 85/10/5, 80/10/10, 70/20/10 of active material (MnHCF)/ carbon black/ binder (PVDF) were mixed using ball miller and coated onto Al-foil. The material was characterized with TGA, MP-AES, and SEM, and through cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The studied system consists of Zn-anode and MnHCF-cathode immersed in 3M ZnSO4 electrolyte. The system was tested by electrochemical techniques in the el-cell, which is a specific cell for joint electrochemical and spectroscopical studies. Experimental conditions and parameters of the el-cell performances were optimized within the testing. The pellets were prepared in the el-cell for further ex-situ monitoring of different redox stages with Raman and ATR-IR spectroscopies.