Facile synthesis of ultralong MnO2 nanowires as high performance supercapacitor electrodes and photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activities

• Main Authors: Yin, Bosi, Zhang, Siwen, Jiao, Yang, Liu, Yang, Qu, Fengyu, Wu, Xiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2014
• ISSN: 1466-8033
• DOI: 10.1039/c4ce01302f

A simple hydrothermal route was developed for the synthesis of uniform α-MnO 2 nanowires using a controllable redox reaction in a MnCl 2 -KMnO 4 aqueous solution system. Electrochemical properties of the resulting products as an electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance tests. The electrode can provide a specific capacitance of 180 F g −1 at a current density of 1.0 A g −1 . After 2000 cycles, the specific capacitance was maintained above 78%. Besides, the as-synthesized products were also used as the photocatalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of several dye molecules. The results show almost complete degradation (~99%) of Congo red dye molecules in 30 min. Such ultralong MnO 2 nanowires are expected to have potential applications in wastewater treatment and energy storage. A simple hydrothermal route was developed for the synthesis of uniform α-MnO 2 nanowires. The as-prepared products can be used high performance supercapacitor electrodes and photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activities.