Manganese-cobalt spinel oxide nanowire arrays
Manganese-cobalt (Mn—Co) spinel oxide nanowire arrays are synthesized at low pressure and low temperature by a hydrothermal method. The method can include contacting a substrate with a solvent, such as water, that includes Mn04- and Co2 ions at a temperature from about 60° C. to about 120° C. The method preferably includes dissolving potassium permanganate (KMn04) in the solvent to yield the Mn04- ions. the substrate is The nanoarrays are useful for reducing a concentration of an impurity, such as a hydrocarbon, in a gas, such as an emission source. The resulting material with high surface area and high materials utilization efficiency can be directly used for environment and energy applications including emission control systems, air/water purifying systems and lithium-ion batteries.