Synthesis and pseudocapacitive behaviors of biomorphic mesoporous tubular MnO2 templated from cotton

AbstactBiomorphic mesoporous MnO2 tubes were prepared by a simple impregnation of potassium permanganate solution on cotton template followed by calcination in air. The as-prepared MnO2 was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric–differential scanning calorimetry analysis (TG–DSC), N2 adsorption and desorption measurements and electrochemical workstation. The MnO2 tubes replicated the morphology of natural cotton and were composed of nanoparticles about 100 nm in size. Compared with the bulk MnO2, which was obtained by the direct thermal-decomposition of MnO2 precursor, the biomorphic MnO2 tubes displayed much better pseudocapaictive properties due to the higher special surface area and the unique mesoporous structure.

► Mesoporous MnO2 tubes were prepared by using cotton as biotemplates.
► MnO2 tubes have relatively high specific surface area.
► MnO2 tubes displayed much better pseudocapacitive properties.