Synthesis of Single-Crystal Tetragonal α-MnO2 Nanotubes

Single-crystal tetragonal α-MnO2 nanotubes have been successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal treatment of KMnO4 in the hydrochloric acid solution. The sample has been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and orientation dependent Raman spectroscopy, which indicates the nanotubes have high-quality crystalline and shape-dependent optical properties. The morphology evolution of the sample reveals that the nanotubes are formed via the solid nanorod by a chemical etching process.