Porous Mn2O3: A Low-Cost Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media with Comparable Activity to Pt/C

Graphical Low cost, high value : An Mn 2 O 3 catalyst with porous structure exhibits comparably activity to commercial Pt/C and notably higher activity than other Mn-based oxides, such as Mn 3 O 4 and MnO 2 . In light of the low cost and high earth abundance of Mn, the highly active Mn 2 O 3 is a promising candidate to be used as a cathode material in metal–air batteries and alkaline fuel cells. Preparing nonprecious metal catalysts with high activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) can promote the development of energy conversion devices. Support-free porous Mn 2 O 3 was synthesized by a facile aerosol-spray-assisted approach (ASAA) and subsequent thermal treatment, and exhibited ORR activity that is comparable to commercial Pt/C The catalyst also exhibits notably higher activity than other Mn-based oxides, such as Mn 3 O 4 and MnO 2 . The rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) study indicates a typical 4-electron ORR pathway on Mn 2 O 3 . Furthermore, the porous Mn 2 O 3 demonstrates considerable stability and a good methanol tolerance in alkaline media. In light of the low cost and high earth abundance of Mn, the highly active Mn 2 O 3 is a promising candidate to be used as a cathode material in metal–air batteries and alkaline fuel cells.