CS@MnO2 core-shell nanospheres with enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation

Flower-like core-shell MnO2-coated carbon aerogels (CS@MnO2) were prepared via a facile hydrothermal process. CS@MnO2 composites can remove dyes from aqueous solution, such as Methylene blue (MB), Congo red (CR), and Rhodamine B (RhB). CS@MnO2 presents an excellent decolorization effect of anionic and cationic dyes. Notably, the maximum decolorization rate for cationic dyes reached 99.5% (wt%), together with a decolorization rate of 90% for the anionic dye. Our work not only developed CS@MnO2 core-shell nanospheres as a superior photocatalyst, but also provided a new strategy for many other related applications. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.