Manganese monoxide nanoparticles adhered to mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbons for nonaqueous lithium–oxygen batteries

• MnO nanoparticles adhered to mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbons were synthesized.
• Their function in the nonaquesous Li–O2 batteries was first studied.
• They promote both oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions.
• They especially reduce the charge overpotentials and extend the cycle operation.
• Synergetic effect between the nanosized MnO and the conductive m-N-C plays the role.

Manganese monoxide nanoparticles adhered to mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbons (MnO-m-N-C) have been synthesized and their influence on cycle performance of nonaqueous lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries is investigated. It is found that the MnO-m-N-C composites promote both oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions. They lead to reduced charge overpotentials through early decomposition of the Li2O2 particles formed on discharge, especially at the limited depth of discharge during the initial several ten cycles. Such superior activity is attributed to the good coupling between the nanosized MnO particles and the conductive mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbons, which is helpful for improving kinetics of both charge and mass transport during the cathode reactions.

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