Issue 39, 2014

Enhanced catalytic and supercapacitor activities of DNA encapsulated β-MnO2 nanomaterials

Abstract

A new approach is developed for the aqueous phase formation of flake-like and wire-like β-MnO2 nanomaterials on a DNA scaffold at room temperature (RT) within a shorter time scale. The β-MnO2 nanomaterials having a band gap energy ∼3.54 eV are synthesized by the reaction of Mn(II) salt with NaOH in the presence of DNA under continuous stirring. The eventual diameter of the MnO2 particles in the wire-like and flake-like morphology and their nominal length can be tuned by changing the DNA to Mn(II) salt molar ratio and by controlling other reaction parameters. The synthesized β-MnO2 nanomaterials exhibit pronounced catalytic activity in organic catalysis reaction for the spontaneous polymerization of aniline hydrochloride to emeraldine salt (polyaniline) at RT and act as a suitable electrode material in electrochemical supercapacitor applications. From the electrochemical experiment, it was observed that the β-MnO2 nanomaterials showed different specific capacitance (Cs) values for the flake-like and wire-like structures. The Cs value of 112 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 was observed for the flake-like structure, which is higher compared to that of the wire-like structure. The flake-like MnO2 nanostructure exhibited an excellent long-term stability, retaining 81% of initial capacitance even after 4000 cycles, whereas for the wire-like MnO2 nanostructure, capacitance decreased and the retention value was only 70% over 4000 cycles. In the future, the present approach can be extended for the formation of other oxide-based materials using DNA as a promising scaffold for different applications such as homogeneous and heterogeneous organic catalysis reactions, Li-ion battery materials or for the fabrication of other high performance energy storage devices.

Graphical abstract: Enhanced catalytic and supercapacitor activities of DNA encapsulated β-MnO2 nanomaterials

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Jul 2014
Accepted
20 Aug 2014
First published
09 Sep 2014

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014,16, 21846-21859

Enhanced catalytic and supercapacitor activities of DNA encapsulated β-MnO2 nanomaterials

S. R. Ede, A. Ramadoss, S. Anantharaj, U. Nithiyanantham and S. Kundu, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 21846 DOI: 10.1039/C4CP02884H

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