Enhancing the Bifunctional Catalytic Performance of Porous La_{_0.9}Mn_{_0.6}Ni_{_0.4}O_{_3−δ}Nanofibers for Li–O₂Batteries through Exsolution of Ni Nanoparticles

Promoting the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics of cathode catalysts is significant to improve the discharge/charge performance of Li–O2 batteries (LOBs). To develop high-performance advanced electrocatalysts, porous perovskite La0.9Mn0.6Ni0.4O3−δ (LMN) nanofibers with in situ exsolved Ni nanoparticles have been synthesized by the electrospinning method, followed by reduction under a 5% H2/Ar atmosphere. The results confirm that due to the numerous in situ exsolved Ni nanoparticles and oxygen vacancies formed on the surface of LMN nanofibers, the electronic conductivity, active site distribution, and O2 adsorption of the cathode are dramatically improved. Furthermore, the Ni nanoparticles and oxygen vacancies generated on the surface of the LMN perovskite have enhanced the ORR/OER activities effectively. LOBs with the Ni–LMN cathode can deliver an impressive discharge capacity of 16 656 mAh g–1 and long-term stability of about 95 cycles at a current density of 400 mA g–1. These results reveal an exciting opportunity to develop a multifunctional perovskite for the high-performance LOBs.