Preparation of low-cost carbon-supported Mn 3 O 4 with a nano- mesoporous structure and its application in oxygen reduction reactions

Abstract

Oxygen reduction reactions are of significance because they are the main cathodic reaction in metal-air batteries and fuel cells. In this study, we successfully synthesize a Mn 3 O 4 /C catalyst with an uncomplicated method. The pore size, distribution, morphology and structure of the Mn 3 O 4 /C catalyst are studied with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller equation. The catalyst activity is investigated by cyclic voltammetry on the gas diffusion electrodes. The result shows the Mn 3 O 4 /C catalyst has a nano-mesoporous structure and excellent catalytic ability for oxygen reduction reactions.