Hydrothermal synthesis of crystalline α-/β-MnO2 nanorods via γ-MnOOH nanorod precursors

The crystalline α-MnO₂ and β-MnO₂ nanorods have been successfully prepared via a facile hydrothermal method from γ-MnOOH nanorods precursor, respectively. The samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Fourier transformed infrared spectra (FTIR). The morphology and structure of γ-MnOOH nanorods precursors have a great influence on the crystal structure of the obtained products. The α-MnO₂ nanorods are prepared from the 100°C γ-MnOOH precursor, while the β-MnO₂ nanorods are obtained from the 150°C γ-MnOOH precursor, respectively. Besides, the catalytic activity of the prepared α-MnO₂ and β-MnO₂ nanorods for the H₂O₂ decomposition has been investigated comparatively, and the latter shows better catalytic activity.