Synthesis ofMnO2Microfiber with Secondary Nanostructure by Cotton Template

Abstract

HierarchicalMnO2microfibers were prepared by using cotton as the template andKMnO4as the precursor via an ultrasonic assistance route. The results of scanning electron microscope characterization showed that the concentration ofKMnO4had a significant effect on the morphology ofMnO2microfiber. At low concentration ofKMnO4, the microfiber was composed ofMnO2nanorods with single crystal structure. With increasing the concentration ofKMnO4, the secondary nanostructure ofMnO2microfibers had a transformation from nanorod to nanoparticle. The results ofN2adsorption-desorption analysis indicated thatMnO2microfibers had BET surface area of about 25 m2/g. This synthesis provides a new way to control the secondary nanostructure ofMnO2microfiber by adjusting the concentration of precursor. Furthermore, the mechanism for the replication was proposed and discussed.