Figure 1

SEM micrographs of materials obtained during the procedure of synthesizing precursors:
(a,b) MnCO3 precipitate before calcination, (c,d) MnO2/MnCO3 composite obtained after calcinating the precipitate at 350 °C, (e,f) MnO2 obtained after acid-washing the MnO2/MnCO3 mixture and (g,h) Mn2O3 obtained after calcinating the MnCO3 precipitate at 800 °C.