A critical analysis of cation adsorption from single and binary solutions on low surface area β-MnO2

► A critical analysis of cation adsorption on low surface area β-MnO2 is reported. ► Detailed characterization of cation loaded β-MnO2 by XRD, FTIR, SEM and Raman spectroscopy. ► Red/blue shifts in Raman spectra of cation loaded β-MnO2 at 636 cm−1 for Pb(II), Cu(II), Zn(II). ► Pb(II) showed an increase of ten fold loading capacity in Pb(II)-Cd(II) binary system. ► The complex behaviour of cation adsorption in binary system explained by Raman spectra.