Effect of morphology of α-MnO2 nanocrystals on electrochemical detection of toxic metal ions

Three different morphologies of α-MnO2 (nanoparticles, nanobowls and nanotubes) have been prepared for the electrochemical determination of Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II). The three different morphologies of MnO2-modified electrodes offered an obvious regularity in individual electrochemical determination of Zn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II): MnO2 nanobowls > MnO2 nanotubes > MnO2 nanoparticles. This study indicates the effect of morphology of MnO2 on its electrochemical detection of toxic metal ions.