LAUSR

Abstract The δ-MnO2 nanowires are fabricated and chemically bonded with the carbon black that has appropriate amounts of oxygen containing functional groups. These short δ-MnO2 nanowires are (006) crystal plane-dominated and the hybrid (δ-MnO2 nanowires/carbon black) exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The half-wave potential (0.82 V (vs. RHE)) and limiting-current density (5.47 mA cm−2) of the hybrid in alkaline medium are close to those of 20 wt% Pt/C, respectively. The hybrid is used as cathodic catalyst in a Zn-air battery cell, which displays a peak power density of 138.0 mW cm−2, comparable to that using Pt/C catalyst (142.8 mW cm−2). This excellent catalytic performance is attributed to the unique microstructure of the hybrid that accelerates the kinetics of ORR. Furthermore, the ORR catalytic mechanism is also systematically analysed based on the microstructural characterization and electrochemical response.