Synthesis of Ordered Mesoporous Manganese Oxides by Double Replication for Use as an Electrode Material

Periodically ordered mesoporous manganese oxides were synthesized in a single and double replication procedure. Mesoporous SBA-15 and -16 silica and their reverse replica carbons were successively used as hard templates. The silica and carbon pore systems were infiltrated with $Mn(NO_3)_2{\cdot}xH_2O$ or $Mn(AcAc)_2$, which was then converted to $Mn_2O_3$ at 873 K; the silica and carbon matrix were finally removed by NaOH solution or calcinations in air. The structure of the mesoporous $Mn_2O_3$, using a carbon template, corresponds to that of the original SBA-15 and SBA-16 silica. The products consist of hexagonally arranged cylindrical mesopores with crystalline pore walls or cubic mesoporous pores. The structure of replica has been confirmed by XRD, TEM analysis, and its electrochemical properties were tested with cyclic voltammetry. Formation of $Mn_2O_3$ inside the mesoporous carbon pore system showed much improved electrical properties.