Construction of a Mn-Ti₃C₂ three-dimensional multifunctional self-supporting cathode for lithium-oxygen batteries

Designing cathode catalysts with high catalytic activity has always been a key factor in improving the performance of lithium‑oxygen batteries. However, traditional cathode preparation methods have many problems, such as uneven slurry mixing. In this study, an independently self-supporting Mn-Ti₃C₂ electrode was prepared by using the metal ion-induced bridging method and the ice-template method as an independent cathode for lithium‑oxygen batteries. Mn bridges between Ti₃C₂ layers, expanding the interlayer spacing, inhibiting the tight stacking of Ti₃C₂ flakes, and accelerating the diffusion of O₂ and Li⁺. The Mn-O-Ti oxygen bridge has a strong adsorption energy for reaction intermediates, which can accelerate the ORR reaction process, and the formed flake-like discharge products are conducive to decomposition. The macroporous structure formed by the ice-template method provides a large amount of accommodation space for discharge products. The lithium‑oxygen battery based on this cathode has an ultra-low overpotential (0.40 V) and an excellent cycle life, and can stably cycle 340 times at a current density of 0.1 mA/cm². This cathode preparation method breaks through the limitations of the traditional cathode slurry coating method and expands the ideas for the preparation of new independently self-supporting cathodes for lithium‑oxygen batteries.