In this study, we report the application of an inexpensive and easily prepared lead oxide-manganese oxide catalyst combined with Nation (designated as Nf/PbMnOx) as a highly efficient air-cathode for a zinc-air battery. We verify the mechanistic study of the reduction of O-2 for Nf/PbMnOx in alkaline aqueous solution using rotating ring/disk electrode voltammetry, and also an electrochemical approach using a wall-jet screen-printed ring disk electrode. The presence of Nf/PbMnOx shows great catalytic activity for the disproportionation reaction of HO2- to O-2 and OH- with an overall 4e(-) reduction of O-2 in the first reduction reaction. The 4e(-) reduction O-2 was eventually achieved at the Nf/PbMnOx through evidence from the slope of Koutecky-Levich plots. With these inherent features, we then fabricated the zinc-air battery with the Nf/PbMnOx catalyst and examine the performance for a practical application with air cathodes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.