Facile bile salt-induced synthesis of porous MnO2 nanoflowers: applications in dye removal and oxidation

Abstract

Abstract: MnO2 is an important functional oxide with wide applications such as in the oxidation of benzylic and allylic alcohols, as an electrode material for supercapacitors, in dyes removal etc. Herein, we demonstrate a simple, bile-salt induced synthesis of porous MnO2 at neutral pH from potassium permanganate. By tuning the reaction conditions we obtained porous δ-MnO2 with high surface area which adsorbed cationic organic dyes with high efficiency. Because of its high reactivity, we also observed higher yields in standard oxidation reactions as compared to commercial MnO2. The outstanding dye adsorption and oxidation abilities coupled with the simple method of preparation can make this material useful for practical applications such as for wastewater treatment. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].