Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of mesoporous manganese oxide

Mesoporous manganese oxide (MPMO) from reduction of KMnO{sub 4} with maleic acid, was obtained and characterized in detail. The characterization of the material was confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and N{sub 2} sorptometry. The results showed that MPMO is a pseudo-crystalline material with complex network pore structure, of which BET specific surface area is 297 m{sup 2}/g and pore size distribution is approximately in the range of 0.7-6.0 nm. The MPMO material turns to cryptomelane when the calcinating temperature rises to 400 deg. C. The optimum sol-gel reaction conditions are KMnO{sub 4}/C{sub 4}H{sub 4}O{sub 4} molar ratio=3, pH=7 and gelation time>6 h.