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.