Enhanced catalytic activity of K-birnessite MnO2 confined in carbon nanotubes for selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol

• K-birnessite MnO2 was successfully filled in CNTs by spontaneous redox.
• The obtained materials exhibited good catalytic activity in benzyl alcohol oxidation.
• K+ may inhibit the transformation of Mn4 + to Mn3 + and promote catalytic oxidation.

K-birnessite MnO2 encapsulated in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was prepared by spontaneous redox between KMnO4 and CNTs at room temperature and exhibited excellent catalytic activity for selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Research results showed that the enhanced catalytic activity can be attributed to the easier reducibility of MnO2 confined in CNTs, the inhibition for Mn4 + into Mn3 + and the stability of catalysts due to the existence of K species.

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