A facile route to growth of γ-MnOOH nanorods and electrochemical capacitance properties

Single crystal nanorods of γ-MnOOH were successfully prepared via a novel solvothermal process based on the redox reaction between KMnO4 and DMF without extra surfactant or template. [Display omitted] ► A novel and facile solvothermal route was developed to synthesis of γ-MnOOH nanorods. ► Single crystal γ-MnOOH nanorods were prepared without surfactant or template. ► The synthetic route requires only two reagents and can exquisite control over the morphologies of γ-MnOOH. ► γ-MnOOH nanorods have a good electrochemical capability. Single crystal nanorods of γ-MnOOH with lengths up to hundreds of nanometers were successfully prepared employing a novel solvothermal process based on the redox reaction between potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and N, N-dimethyl ammonium formate (DMF) without extra surfactant or template. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The electrochemical properties of γ-MnOOH nanorods were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge performance measurements. Specific capacitance (Cs) calculated from the galvanostatic discharge curve was 131.9Fg−1 for γ-MnOOH nanorods at the current density of 0.5Ag−1. The electrochemical experiment results demonstrate that γ-MnOOH nanorods should be a good candidate as electrode material for supercapacitor.