Saputra, E.Zhang, H.Liu, Q.Sun, H.Wang, S.2019-11-032019-11-032016Chemosphere, 2016; 159:351-3580045-65351879-1298http://hdl.handle.net/2440/121790Novel uniform ellipsoid α-Mn2O3@α-MnO2 core/shell (McMs) nanocomposites were prepared via a hydrothermal process with a shape-control protocol followed by calcination at different temperatures. The properties of the composites were characterized by a number of techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The core/shell materials were much effective in heterogeneous oxone(®) activation to generate sulfate and hydroxyl radicals for degradation of aqueous phenol. The McMs composites demonstrated catalytic activity for 100% phenol decomposition in short duration varying between 20 and 120 min, much higher than that of homogeneous Mn(2+) system with 95% phenol degradation in 120 min. They also showed a higher activity than single-phase α-Mn2O3 or α-MnO2. The catalytic activity of phenol degradation depends on temperature, oxone(®) concentration, phenol concentration, and catalyst loading. The catalysts also showed a stable activity in several cycles. Kinetic study demonstrated that phenol degradation reactions follow a first order reaction on McMs catalysts giving activation energies at 32.1-68.8 kJ/mol. With the detection of radicals by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), the generation mechanism was proposed.en© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Core/shell structure; manganese oxides; phenol removal; sulfate radical; water treatmentJournal article003009658410.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.06.0210003804178000432-s2.0-84975462132435516Wang, S. [0000-0002-1751-9162]