Precisely controlled synthesis of α-/β-MnO2 materials by adding Zn(acac)2 as a phase transformation-inducing agent

Abstract

In this paper, we present an approach for the precisely controlled phase transformation of MnO₂ in order to synthesise different compositions of α-/β-MnO₂ materials, by adding a trace amount of Zn(acac)₂ as the phase transformation-inducing agent in a hydrothermal reaction. The single-atomic dispersion of Zn might reduce the barrier of phase transformation of δ-MnO₂ to β-MnO₂. The ratio of the Zn species present in the single-atomic dispersions and nanoclusters might dominate the generation of α-MnO₂ and β-MnO₂. The results of the oxygen reduction reactions indicate that the MnO₂ materials have potential applications as promising catalysts in electrochemical catalysis.