alpha-MnO2 nanowire catalysts with ultra-high capacity and extremely low overpotential in lithium-air batteries through tailored surface arrangement

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 alpha-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 alpha-MnO2 NWs suggest a strategy for achieving high-power Li-air batteries in combination with nano-architecture tailoring.