A polystyrene sulfonate/graphene-based NaOH electrolyte and a Mn3O4/graphene catalyst were prepared for fabricating and testing metal-air batteries with pure Al and Zn anodes. Electrochemical performances, corrosion rates and surface morphologies were investigated. The operating voltage, anodic utilization rate and energy density of the assembled aluminum-air battery are 1.167 V, 88% and 2546 Wh.Kg(-1), respectively. This overall performance is better than Al-air battery with 4 M NaOH solution and MnO2 catalyst. Apparently, polystyrene sodium sulfonate/graphene improves the conductivity of the solution and reduces the corrosion rate of aluminum anode, and Mn3O4/graphene reduces cathode polarization of air cathode. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.