Preparation and electrochemical properties of urchin-like La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 perovskite oxide as a bifunctional catalyst for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction

An urchin-like La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM) perovskite oxide has been synthesized through a co-precipitation method with urea as a precipitator, and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET analysis. SEM results show that a micro/nanocomposite with an urchin-like morphology has been obtained. The as-synthesized LSM perovskite oxide has a high specific surface area of 48 m2 g−1. The catalytic activity of the oxide for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 0.1 M KOH solution has been studied by using a rotating-ring-disk electrode (RRDE). In the ORR test, a maximum cathodic current density of 5.2 mA cm−2 at −1.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) with 2500 rpm was obtained, and the ORR mainly favors a direct four-electron pathway. The results of anodic linear scanning voltammograms indicate that the urchin-like LSM perovskite oxide exhibits an encouraging catalytic activity for the OER. All electrochemical measurements suggest that the urchin-like LSM perovskite oxide could be used as a bifunctional catalyst for the ORR and the OER. •Urchin-like La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM) perovskite oxide has been synthesized.•Mechanism of the ORR on urchin-like LSM perovskite oxide has been studied.•Urchin-like LSM perovskite oxide is a bifunctional catalyst for the ORR and the OER.•Urchin-like LSM perovskite oxide could be used as a potential catalyst for a lithium-air battery.