Facile synthesis of partially oxidized Mn(3)O(4)-functionalized carbon cathodes for rechargeable Li–O(2) batteries

High charging overpotential (low energy efficiency) is one of the most important challenges preventing the use of current nonaqueous Li–O(2) batteries. This study demonstrates direct in situ-incorporation of metal oxides on carbon during synthesis and the associated application to nonaqueous Li–O(2) battery catalysts. The partially oxidized Mn(3)O(4) (Mn(3)O(4)/Mn(5)O(8))-incorporating carbon cathode shows an average overpotential reduction of ∼8% charge/discharge during 40 cycles in a rechargeable nonaqueous Li–O(2) cell. Here, we suggested the possibility that only a small amount of the oxide species (<5%) could show catalytic effects during charge in a rechargeable Li–O(2) cell.