Systems and methods for air cathodes
An apparatus which can include a cathode membrane for a power source is provided. The power source can include a current collector which can include a porous substrate. The power source can include a layer that coats the porous substrate to provide a catalyst for the cathode membrane. The layer can be formed from a mixture of hausmannite and cation intercalated manganese oxide.
1. A method of manufacturing an air cathode, comprising:
forming a sodium formate solution;
forming a potassium permanganate solution;
mixing the sodium formate solution with the potassium permanganate solution to create a mixture of hausmannite and potassium intercalated manganese oxide to create a catalyst;
shear mixing the mixture of the sodium formate solution with the potassium permanganate solution with carbon colloid and with a gelling agent solution at a rate of 500 rpm to 1000 rpm;
degassing the sheared mixture; and
creating an active mass slurry with the sheared mixture dispersed with polytetrafluoroethylene.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising;
coating a current collector with the active mass slurry to create a cathode membrane for a power source, wherein the current collector is formed of a foam impregnated with a hydrophobic mass.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
laminating a current collector with a backing layer and an active mass slurry comprising the catalyst to create a cathode membrane for a power source.