α-MnO2 nanowire catalysts with ultra-high capacity and extremely low overpotential in lithium–air batteries through tailored surface arrangement†
Abstract
We here report on very high capacity (11 000 mA h g−1), superb rate capability (4500 mA h g−1 at 5000 mA g−1) and high reversibility of Li–air batteries using α-MnO2 NW catalysts mainly associated with their relatively large amount of Mn3+ exposed on the NW surface and a unique mechanism for deposition of discharge products. Our findings of the unprecedentedly fast Li ion transport and reversible formation–decomposition of discharge products attributed to the modified surface arrangement of α-MnO2 NWs suggest a strategy for achieving high-power Li–air batteries in combination with nano-architecture tailoring.