Fabrication of MnO2 Nanoparticles from Simple Pyrolytic Method for Degradation of Methylene Blue Under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

α-MnO2 nanoparticle with semi-tubular morphology was prepared pyrolytically using [Mn(pyo)2(dca)2]n as a sole precursor at 700C in air for 2 h without applying any catalyst or template. This nanostructure was systematically characterized physically by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The prepared α-MnO2 displayed high photocatalytic activity toward decolorization of methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation in assistance with H2O2. The result obtained indicated that almost 84% colour removal occured within 2.40 h.