α‐MnO₂ Nanowire‐Anchored Highly Oxidized Cluster as a Catalyst for Li‐O₂ Batteries: Superior Electrocatalytic Activity and High Functionality

An effective chemical way to optimize the oxygen electrocatalyst and Li‐O 2 electrode functionalities of metal oxide can be developed by the control of chemical bond nature with the surface anchoring of highly oxidized selenate (SeO 4 2− ) clusters. The bond competition between (Se 6+ −O) and (Mn−O) bonds is quite effective in stabilizing Jahn–Teller‐active Mn 3+ state and in increasing oxygen electron density of α‐MnO 2 nanowire (NW). The selenate‐anchored α‐MnO 2 NW shows excellent oxygen electrocatalytic activity and electrode performance for Li‐O 2 batteries, which is due to the improved charge transfer kinetics and reversible formation/decomposition of Li 2 O 2 . The present study underscores that the surface anchoring of highly oxidized cluster can provide a facile, effective way of improving the oxygen electrocatalyst and electrochemical performances of nanostructured metal oxide in Li‐O 2 cells.