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

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.