One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of uniform β-MnO2 nanorods for nitrite sensing

► Uniform single-crystal β-MnO2 nanorods were synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method. ► The pH, temperature, and reactant molar ratios were essential to the morphologies of the final products. ► The β-MnO2 nanorods showed good electrocatalytic ability toward the electrooxidation of nitrite. The sensor showed a wide linear range, high sensitivity, low detection limit, and fast response.