Reactive template strategy for fabrication of MnO2/polyaniline coaxial nanocables and their catalytic application in the oxidative decolorization of rhodamine B†
Abstract
MnO2/polyaniline (PANI) coaxial nanocables were fabricated through an oxidative template route, where MnO2 nanorods were selected as the reactive templates for polymerization of aniline in acidic aqueous solution. It was found that PANI could be coated on the surfaces of MnO2 nanorods, accompanied by dissolution of the MnO2 cores, leading to the formation of coaxial nanocable structures. Consequently, the compositions and structures of the MnO2/PANI coaxial nanocables could be simply controlled by determining the reaction time. Thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques were used to characterize the MnO2/PANI coaxial nanocables. Furthermore, the catalytic activities of the MnO2/PANI coaxial nanocables in the oxidative decolorization of Rhodamine B were also investigated.