Effects of reducing agents on the electrochemical properties of the prepared manganese oxide powders

Manganese oxide powders with high specific capacitance were successfully fabricated via a simple redox reaction at room temperature. The reducing agents used for the redox reaction significantly affected the oxidation states and the electrochemical properties of the prepared manganese oxide powders. As C2H5OH was used as the reducing agent, high Mn3+ content and high amount of hydroxide were observed in the prepared manganese oxide powders. In addition, the molar ratios of KMnO4 and C2H5OH also influenced the electrochemical properties of the prepared manganese oxide powders. When the molar ratio of KMnO4 and C2H5OH was 1:40, the specific capacitance of the prepared manganese oxide was as high as 402 F/g. These results of the electrochemical analysis showed that, adjusting the molar ratios of KMnO4 and C2H5OH demonstrated to be an effective method for controlling the electrochemical characteristics of manganese oxide powders.

► MnO2 with high specific capacitance were fabricated via a simple redox reaction.
► The reducing agents affected the electrochemical properties of the prepared MnO2.
► The molar ratios of precursors affected the electrochemical properties of MnO2.