You’re invited to Maryland Hall room 110 at 3pm for a seminar by Deepa Madan from UMBC. Her seminar is entitled, “Studying the effect of Polymer Binders on the Electrochemical Performance and Stability of MnO₂ Cathodes in Rechargeable Zn-MnO2 Batteries, and will occur on Wednesday, November 12.
Abstract: Studying the effect of Polymer Binders on the Electrochemical Performance and Stability of MnO₂ Cathodes in Rechargeable Zn-MnO2 Batteries
Zinc–manganese dioxide (Zn–MnO₂) batteries have gained considerable attention due to their natural abundance, environmental safety, and potential for stationary energy storage. While binders play a critical role in battery performance by ensuring mechanical integrity and facilitating electron and ion transport, they are often overlooked in the design of Zn–MnO₂ systems. This study investigates the influence of different polymeric binders—including the commonly used polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and water-based alternatives such as polyvinyl alcohol–polyacrylic acid (PVA–PAA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)—on cathode morphology, wettability, and electrochemical performance.
Advanced characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopy were employed to examine the structural and surface properties of the cathodes. Wettability, crucial for electrolyte infiltration, was assessed via the sessile drop method. Electrochemical performance was evaluated through galvanostatic cycling to determine the specific capacity.
Bio: Deepa Madan
Dr. Deepa Madan joined UMBC in 2016, after completing two years as a post-doc in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the Johns Hopkins University. Prior to her post-doc, she completed her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. She also worked as a device engineer in semiconductor industry in ST Microelectronics Singapore. She completed her M.Tech in solid state materials from IIT Delhi, India. She is a recipient of NSF CAREER award. She has published 28 peer-reviewed journal articles in high-impact journals including Advanced Materials (impact factor (IF):32), Nano Energy (IF: 17), and Small (IF: 15). She currently serves as an academic editor for the PLOS ONE journal. In addition to her research and teaching, Dr. Madan is deeply committed to broadening participation in STEM. She actively mentors students from underrepresented groups through programs such as the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) Scholars, McNair Scholars, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), and the Mechanical Engineering S-STEM Scholars Program. She regularly provides research opportunities and mentorship to foster inclusive excellence in STEM education and research.