A Novel Process of Thermal Decomposition of MnO2 Nanorods

Abstract

The process of thermal decomposition of MnO₂ nanorods was reported in this paper. The MnO₂ nanorods were synthesized via hydrothermal method. The process of their thermal decomposition was studied by thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). For the further analysis of the product during thermal decomposition, the MnO₂ nanorods were calcined at 700 and 1000°C in the muffle furnace, respectively. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectra(XPS). The results showed that MnO₂ nanorods were only decomposed at about 800°C, and the characteristic peaks of Mn₂O₃ cannot be found in either XRD or XPS. There were only the characteristic peaks of Mn₃O₄. Moreover, the changes of morphology were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Furthermore, the process analysis of this phenomenon was speculated.