Mesoporous Mn2O3 rods as a highly efficient catalyst for Li-O2 battery

Abstract Li-O 2 batteries are considered as one of the future candidates for electrochemical power sources due to their high theoretical energy density. As the dominating component affects the performance of Li-O 2 batteries, O 2 -cathode catalyst with high efficiency, low price, facile preparation is important. Herein, polyhedral and porous Mn 2 O 3 rods are fabricated for cathode catalysts in Li-O 2 batteries via electrospinning method followed by calcination. The Mn 2 O 3 catalyst possesses a three-dimensional porous structure, which can offer good catalytic activity, expose plenty of active sites and improve the diffusion of electrolyte and O 2 . When employed as the cathode catalyst, the Li-O 2 batteries show enhanced initial discharge capacity of 9701 mA h g −1 at a current density of 200 mA g −1 , superior rate capacity and good cycling stability within 160 cycles at the capacity of 500 mA h g −1 . These enhanced performances demonstrate a facile method to fabricate Mn 2 O 3 with unique structure as a promising catalytic material for Li-O 2 batteries.