A metal-air battery includes an anode; a low-dimensional catalyst cathode; and an electrolyte; wherein: the low-dimensional catalyst cathode comprises a functional metal layer on a carbon support overcoated with a catalyst layer; the electrolyte comprises an aprotic solvent that is an ether-based solvent, a fluorinated ether-based solvent, an oligo (ethylene oxide) solvent, or a mixture of any two or more thereof; and the electrolyte is free of carbonate solvents.