Three-Dimensional Network Mesoporous Nanostructured α-Manganese Dioxide with High Supercapacitive Performance: Facile, Environmental and Large-Scale Synthesis

Mesoporous nanostructured -manganese dioxide (MN--MnO2) powders in a sponge-like three-dimensional network have been successfully synthesized in high yields in a simple, template-free manner at room temperature. Its unique structure has been found to be related to the glucose solution rather than to the KMnO4 solution. A possible mechanism for the formation of MN--MnO2 by the oxidation of MnO2 precursors cross-linked by glucose networks is proposed that is supported by experimental results. The electrochemical studies showed that MN--MnO2 exhibits good electrochemical properties in 1 M Na2SO4 due to its high specific surface area (ca. 220 m(2)g(-1)) and proper pore size distributions (ca. 5 nm), which indicates that it has potential for use as a high-performance supercapacitor due to its good electrochemical performance, low cost and environmental friendliness.