Precise modulation the coordination microenvironment and the phase of MnO2 for superior toluene catalytic property

Doping engineering plays a crucial role in the regulation of Mn-based catalysts. Herein, Cu–MnO₂ and Co–MnO₂ were obtained by simple doping engineering for toluene elimination. The synergistic regulation of crystal phase and coordination microenvironment of MnO₂ is successfully induced for the superior catalytic activity of Cu–MnO₂. The results of characterizations showed that the crystal phase of β-MnO₂ transformed to ε-MnO₂ and (ε+α)-MnO₂ after introduction of Cu and Co, respectively. The lattice rearrangement of MnO₂ generated more oxygen vacancies and reactive oxygen species. Moreover, the precise modulation of MnO₂'s electronic structure induced abundant M-O_V-Mn³⁺ (M = Cu and Co) active complex sites, which further enhance other physicochemical properties such as Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ and O_ads/O_latt of MnO₂ catalysts. This work highlights the driving effect of doping engineering on the phase transformation and electronic microstructure improvement of MnO₂, providing new enlightenment for the exploitation and precise regulation of Mn-based catalysts.