Manganese dioxide having nanorod and nanoflake morphologies have been successfully prepared by electrolysis of KMnO 4 at a temperature of 60°C. The acidity of the solution substantially influenced the particle morphology. The particles had nanorod morphology at a very acid solution (pH 0.2) whereas they had nanoflake shape at the base condition (pH 9). X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the particles generated at very acid condition were ¡-MnO 2 . On the other hand, the particles synthesized at base condition were amorphous MnO 2 . The electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the materials was studied in oxygensaturated 0.6 M KOH solution. The electrons transferred per oxygen molecules of ORR for nanorod and nanoflake MnO 2 particles were 2.23 and 1.75, respectively. The results suggest that nanorod MnO 2 particles exhibit better ORR activity corresponding to 2-electron transferred ORR mechanism.
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