Morphology controllable synthesis and electrochemical properties of MnOx nanoparticles on carbon fibre surface

Manganese oxides (MnOx) with different morphologies were synthesised on carbon fibre surfaces by using a hydrothermal method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation results showed that ultra-thin nanosheets, flower-like nanosheets, mixture of nanorods and thick nanosheets, and nanorods of MnOx could be synthesized with different amounts of nitric acid in hydrothermal reaction solutions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to prove the successful formation of MnOx nanoparticles. Specific surface area analysis indicated that flower-like nanosheets of MnOx nanoparticles had the highest specific surface area (67 m(2) g(-1)), which made it promising as an electrode material. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed that the flower-like nanosheets of MnOx nanoparticles were pure monoclinic phase of K-birnessite K0.27MnO2.0.54H(2)O. Cyclic voltammetry tests demonstrated good rate capability of the sample with unique flower-like structure.