Abstract
The need for an alternative electrocatalyst to replace Pt-based noble materials is a major concern of the Li–air battery technology. In this work, α-MnO2 nanorods are synthesized by a simple hydrothermal technique and are modified with palladium (Pd) nanoparticles to form Pd-deposited α-MnO2 (Pd/α-MnO2) nanostructures. The physical characteristics of the thus prepared materials are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. These analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of 8∼10-nm-sized Pd nanoparticles deposited on 82∼85-nm-sized α-MnO2 nanorods. The catalytic activities of the synthesized Pd/α-MnO2 nanostructure for oxygen reduction reaction and evolution reaction were studied by measuring linear sweeping voltammograms in aqueous solution. The as-prepared material exhibited high electrocatalytic activities which were comparable to that of the commercial Pt/C catalysts. The Pd/α-MnO2 nanostructures were then examined as a bifunctional electrocatalyst in the air cathode of Li–air batteries in non-aqueous media. The Li–air batteries fabricated with the Pd/α-MnO2 catalyst deliver a high discharge capacity with low overpotential compared to the other batteries without Pd deposition or any catalyst.
Published Version
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