Tuning MnCo₂O₄ nanowire arrays on carbon cloth as an efficient cathode catalyst for Li–O₂ batteries

Li–O₂ batteries with higher theoretical specific capacity are a promising energy storage system. Designing an efficient cathode catalyst can alleviate the problem that derives from the sluggish dynamic process. In this study, morphologies of MnCo₂O₄ are easily tuned from square blocks to nanowire arrays by simple adjusting mole numbers of NH₄F under hydrothermal conditions. The MnCo₂O₄ nanowire arrays on carbon cloth with a large specific surface area of 194.9 m² g⁻¹ are synthesized by 9 mmol NH₄F, which as a cathode catalyst for Li–O₂ batteries can maintain for 167 cycles with a cutoff capacity to 500 mA h g⁻¹ at 340 mA g⁻¹ (0.2 mA cm⁻²). And the MnCo₂O₄ nanowire array electrodes show the discharge capacities of 8364, 7544 and 5887 mA h g⁻¹ at 200, 400 and 800 mA g⁻¹, respectively, which show good rate performance.