Ad hoc tailored electrocatalytic MnO2 nanorods for the oxygen reduction in aqueous and organic media

Metal-air batteries are one of the most promising electrochemical systems for energy storage and conversion. Herein we report promising results by exploiting manganese dioxide nanoparticles as ORR electrocatalysts. MnO2 nanorods were prepared through a hydrothermal synthesis, i.e. by varying both the salt precursors (i.e. manganese sulphate or chloride) and the oxidizing agents (i.e. ammonium persulfate or potassium permanganate). All the nanopowders were finely characterized on structural, morphological and surface points of view. Then, their electrocatalytic power was tested either in aqueous 0.1M potassium hydroxide or in Tetra Ethylene Glycol Dimethyl Ether (TEGDME)/LiNO3 0.5M electrolytes, by using Gas Diffusion Electrodes (GDEs) and Glassy Carbon (GC) as cathodes, respectively. All the nanoparticles promoted the ORR by causing a shift of the onset potential up to 100mV in both solvents. Nevertheless, this shift was different according to the solvent/electrolyte used: in the case of the ether-based solvent, different values are obtained by adopting the synthesized MnO2 powders. Thus, we hypothesized that the structural/surface properties of MnO2 samples are leveled in the aqueous medium (i.e. in a OH rich solvent, the hydroxyls can interact with the homologs on the MnO2 surface), contrary to what occurs in the organic solvent. Furthermore, a different behavior was observed also on the kinetic point of view thus leading to diverse interpretations of the oxygen reduction mechanism, especially in TEGDME. [Display omitted] •Ad hoc MnO2 nanorods by varying both the salt precursors and oxidizing agents.•All MnO2 show similar electrocatalytic activity for the ORR in aqueous KOH.•MS_K (highest SBET and Vpores) has the highest performances in the ether medium.•The presence of MnO2 seems to accelerate the electronic reactions in TEGDME.