Water oxidation catalysis by using nano-manganese ferrite supported 1D-(tunnelled), 2D-(layered) and 3D-(spinel) manganese oxides

Abstract

We report a new series of core–shell composite catalysts obtained by supporting 1D-(tunnelled), 2D-(layered) and 3D-(spinel) manganese oxides on nano-manganese ferrite. All other factors being equal, magnetic 2D-MnO_x structures carried out the chemical water oxidation reaction with Ce⁴⁺ at a higher efficiency than their 1D-, 3D- and non-magnetic counterparts. Ca-birnessite, when supported on a ferrite core, produced the highest amount of O₂ [3900 mmol (O₂) per mol (Mn) per h] normalized per mol of manganese in the catalysts. The composition and morphology parameters of the magnetic core–shell structures appeared to be important in determining the observed activity while no direct correlation was noted with the surface area.