Efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the most critical factor to influence the performance of lithium-air batteries. We present La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM) perovskite nanorods as high active electrocatalyst fabricated via a soft template method for lithium-air batteries. The as-prepared LSM nanorods are microporous with numerous defects and large surface area (20.6 m(2) g(-1)), beneficial to the ORR and OER in the discharge and charge processes, respectively. Lithium-air batteries based on the microporous LSM nanorods electrocatalysts show enhanced electrochemical performances, including high first discharge specific capacity (6890 mAh g((electrode))(-1) at 200 mA g(-1)), low overpotential, good rate capability (up to 400 mA g(-1)), and cycle stability (only 1.1% voltage loss after 30 circles of specific capacity limit of 1000 mAh g(-1) tested at 200 mA g(-1)). The improved performance might be due to the synergistic effect of the unique microporous and one-dimensional structure and numerous defects of the prepared LSM catalyst. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.