Synthesis of Hierarchical Hollow MnO2 Microspheres and Potential Application in Abatement of VOCs

Hierarchical hollow MnO 2 microspheres have been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method based on the decomposition of KMnO 4 precursor in nitric acid solution in the presence of Ce 3+ ions. The hierarchical hollow microspheres consisted of discuslike nanoplatelets and nanorods. The Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) specific surface area and the pore volume of the hierarchical hollow microspheres are 29.2 m 2 g –1 and 0.30 cm 3 g –1, respectively. A possible formation mechanism of hierarchical hollow microspheres is proposed. Ce 3+ ions play a crucial role in controlling the morphology and crystalline structure of MnO 2 . The concentration of Ce 3+ ions is a key factor for the formation of the hierarchical hollow microspheres. The as-prepared hierarchical hollow MnO 2 microspheres exhibit high catalytic ability for the oxidation of benzene.