Uniform MnO2 nanostructures supported on hierarchically porous carbon as efficient electrocatalysts for rechargeable Li-O2 batteries

Through in situ redox deposition and growth of MnO2 nanostructures on hierarchically porous carbon (HPC), a MnO2/HPC hybrid has been synthesized and employed as cathode catalyst for non-aqueous Li-O-2 batteries. Owing to the mild synthetic conditions, MnO2 was uniformly distributed on the surface of the carbon support, without destroying the hierarchical porous nanostructure. As a result, the as-prepared MnO2/HPC nanocomposite exhibits excellent Li-O-2 battery performance, including low charge overpotential, good rate capacity and long cycle stability up to 300 cycles with controlling capacity of 1,000 mAh center dot g(-1). A combination of the multi-scale porous network of the shell-connected carbon support and the highly dispersed MnO2 nanostructure benefits the transportation of ions, oxygen and electrons and contributes to the excellent electrode performance.