Synthesis of highly monodisperse porous manganese oxide spheres using a butyric acid microemulsion.

Porous manganese oxide spheres form readily from a reaction between KMnO4 and n-butanol in aqueous butyric acid under ambient conditions. Spheres have uniform size, tuneable diameters and high surface areas. The material is an active catalyst for the oxidation of isopropanol to acetone.

Self-assembly of manganese oxide nanoparticles and hollow spheres. Catalytic activity in carbon monoxide oxidation.

Reactions between MnSO(4) and KMnO(4) in the presence of carboxylic acids provide a facile, one-pot route to nanostructured manganese oxides with high surface areas. Acetic and propionic acid induce formation of hierarchical nanosphere morphologies whereas butyric acid promotes assembly of hollow spheres. The materials are active catalysts for CO oxidation.