Electro chemical and photo catalytic studies of MnO$_2$ nanoparticle from waste dry cell batteries

The objective of the existing research was essentially focused on recovery of MnO$_2$ nanoparticles from consumed dry cells by employing adapted hydrometallurgical process. Experimental tests for the recovery of MnO$_2$ present in the dry cell batteries have been carried out by an acidic reductive leachant, namely oxalic acid. The elemental compositions of the recovered metals from dry cells were confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Surface morphology of the recovered metals was examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Phase composition of the recovered metals from dry cell batteries were confirmed from X-ray Diffract meter (XRD). Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) studies were carried out to clarify the reversibility of the reactions. The obtained MnO$_2$ catalyst was applied for the degradation of different nonvolatile dye compounds such as Indigo carmine (IC) and Rhodamine B (RB). The performance of MnO$_2$ shows fast degradation of dyes of high concentration.