MnO2 Nanoparticles Confined in TiO2 Nanotubes for Catalytic Combustion of Butane

A confined MnO2 catalyst with MnO2 nanoparticles entrapped in TiO2 nanotube was synthesized through vacuum-assisted impregnation method. Due to the confinement effect of TiO2 nanotube, the electron density distribution between the exterior and interior nanotube surface is modulated. As such, the confined MnO2 can facilitate the formation and migration of active oxygen species in the catalyst. The catalyst exhibits the enhanced activity in the catalytic combustion of butane, and the reaction temperature is significantly lowered. This result demonstrates that the confined MnO2 in TiO2 nanotube can serve as a cost-effective catalyst for the elimination of VOCs from the air.