Core-Shell MnO 2-SiO 2 Nanorods for Catalyzing the Removal of Dyes from Water

This work presented a novel core-shell MnO2@m-SiO2 for catalyzing the removal of dyes from wastewater. MnO2 nanorods were sequentially coated with polydopamine (PDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) forming MnO2@PDA-PEI. By taking advantage of the positively charged amine groups, MnO2@PDA-PEI was further silicificated, forming MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2. After calcination, the composite MnO2@m-SiO2 was finally obtained. MnO2 nanorod is the core and mesoporous SiO2 (m-SiO2) is the shell. MnO2@m-SiO2 has been used to degrade a model dye Rhodamine B (RhB). The shell m-SiO2 functioned to adsorb/enrich and transfer RhB, and the core MnO2 nanorods oxidized RhB. Thus, MnO2@m-SiO2 combines multiple functions together. Experimental results demonstrated that MnO2@m-SiO2 exhibited a much higher efficiency for degradation of RhB than MnO2. The RhB decoloration and degradation efficiencies were 98.7% and 84.9%, respectively. Consecutive use of MnO2@m-SiO2 has demonstrated that MnO2@m-SiO2 can be used to catalyze multiple cycles of RhB degradation. After six cycles of reuse of MnO2@m-SiO2, the RhB decoloration and degradation efficiencies were 98.2% and 71.1%, respectively.


Introduction
Dyes are widely used in the textiles, cosmetics, paper, leather, ceramics, and inks industries [1,2].It is estimated that 15% of the dye is lost during processes and is released in wastewater [2].Dye pollutants are an important source of environmental contamination and cause significant pollution to groundwater [3].Dyes are generally resistant to light and moderate oxidative agents.Without proper treatment, these dyes can be stable in the water for a much longer period of time [4].
In this work, a novel core-shell catalytic material MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 for oxidative degradation of dyes has been developed.Scheme 1 illustrates the preparation route for the composite MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .MnO 2 nanorods were first coated with polydopamine to form MnO 2 @PDA, and then polyethyleneimine (PEI) was bound to MnO 2 @PDA, forming MnO 2 @PDA-PEI.Further silicification of this material formed MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 .After calcination under 400 • C, MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 was prepared.This material has been utilized to degrade a model dye Rhodamine B (RhB).The mesoporous m-SiO 2 layer on the surface of the composite adsorbed and enriched RhB; the RhB molecules were transported through the mesoporous m-SiO 2 layer by diffusion, and then the MnO 2 nanorods catalyzed the degradation of RhB.
In this work, a novel core-shell catalytic material MnO2@m-SiO2 for oxidative degradation of dyes has been developed.Scheme 1 illustrates the preparation route for the composite MnO2@m-SiO2.MnO2 nanorods were first coated with polydopamine to form MnO2@PDA, and then polyethyleneimine (PEI) was bound to MnO2@PDA, forming MnO2@PDA-PEI.Further silicification of this material formed MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2.After calcination under 400 °C, MnO2@m-SiO2 was prepared.This material has been utilized to degrade a model dye Rhodamine B (RhB).The mesoporous m-SiO2 layer on the surface of the composite adsorbed and enriched RhB; the RhB molecules were transported through the mesoporous m-SiO2 layer by diffusion, and then the MnO2 nanorods catalyzed the degradation of RhB.Scheme 1. Schematic illustration of preparation of MnO2@m-SiO2.

Preparation of MnO2@m-SiO2
Scheme 1 illustrates the procedures for the preparation of MnO2@m-SiO2.MnO2 nanorods were coated with a thin film of polydopamine (PDA) to form MnO2@PDA by impregnating the MnO2 nanorods in the dopamine solution, in which polymerization of dopamine occurred at an alkaline condition.PDA is one kind of catechol amine.When MnO2@PDA was added to the polyethyleneimine (PEI) solution, PEI was bound to PDA through Michael addition of amines on the unsaturated indole rings and Schiff base formation reactions between the amines and catechols [30].Thus, MnO2@PDA was coated with PEI forming MnO2@PDA-PEI.The positively charged amine groups on the surface of MnO2@PDA-PEI provide prerequisites for further silicification [31].When MnO2@PDA-PEI was added to the solution of TEOS, electrostatic interactions occurred between the positively charged amine groups of PEI and negatively charged silicic acid resulted from the hydrolysis of the methyl groups of TEOS [31].Protonated and nonprotonated amine groups of the PEI chains formed hydrogen bonds with the oxygen, facilitating the formation of Si-O-Si bonds.Thus, MnO2@PDA-PEI was silicificated and MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 was formed.The composite MnO2@m-SiO2 was obtained after calcination under 400 °C.
In the FTIR spectra, as illustrated in Figure 1, the band centered at 1588 cm −1 was assigned to ring C=C and ring C=N stretching modes [32], confirming that MnO2 was coated with PDA, forming MnO2@PDA.When PEI was bound to MnO2@PDA forming MnO2@PDA-PEI, the band at 1291 cm −1 appeared, which was ascribed to the stretching vibration of C-N of primary and secondary amines [33].The band at 1097 cm −1 was ascribed to the vibration of Si-O-Si bonds [34], resulting from the silicification of MnO2@PDA-PEI.After calcination under 400 °C forming MnO2@m-SiO2, the bands at 1605 and 1586 cm −1 were significantly reduced, indicating the removal of PEI and PDA after the calcination.As a result, the band at 1097 cm −1 became prominent.Scheme 1. Schematic illustration of preparation of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .

Preparation of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2
Scheme 1 illustrates the procedures for the preparation of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .MnO 2 nanorods were coated with a thin film of polydopamine (PDA) to form MnO 2 @PDA by impregnating the MnO 2 nanorods in the dopamine solution, in which polymerization of dopamine occurred at an alkaline condition.PDA is one kind of catechol amine.When MnO 2 @PDA was added to the polyethyleneimine (PEI) solution, PEI was bound to PDA through Michael addition of amines on the unsaturated indole rings and Schiff base formation reactions between the amines and catechols [30].Thus, MnO 2 @PDA was coated with PEI forming MnO 2 @PDA-PEI.The positively charged amine groups on the surface of MnO 2 @PDA-PEI provide prerequisites for further silicification [31].When MnO 2 @PDA-PEI was added to the solution of TEOS, electrostatic interactions occurred between the positively charged amine groups of PEI and negatively charged silicic acid resulted from the hydrolysis of the methyl groups of TEOS [31].Protonated and nonprotonated amine groups of the PEI chains formed hydrogen bonds with the oxygen, facilitating the formation of Si-O-Si bonds.Thus, MnO 2 @PDA-PEI was silicificated and MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 was formed.The composite MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 was obtained after calcination under 400 • C.
In the FTIR spectra, as illustrated in Figure 1, the band centered at 1588 cm −1 was assigned to ring C=C and ring C=N stretching modes [32], confirming that MnO 2 was coated with PDA, forming MnO 2 @PDA.When PEI was bound to MnO 2 @PDA forming MnO 2 @PDA-PEI, the band at 1291 cm −1 appeared, which was ascribed to the stretching vibration of C-N of primary and secondary amines [33].The band at 1097 cm −1 was ascribed to the vibration of Si-O-Si bonds [34], resulting from the silicification of MnO 2 @PDA-PEI.After calcination under 400 • C forming MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 , the bands at 1605 and 1586 cm −1 were significantly reduced, indicating the removal of PEI and PDA after the calcination.As a result, the band at 1097 cm −1 became prominent.
Figure 1.FTIR spectra of MnO2, MnO2@PDA, MnO2@PDA-PEI, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2.PDA: polydopamine; PEI: polyethyleneimine Figure 2 shows the XPS spectra of MnO2, MnO2@PDA, MnO2@PDA-PEI, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2, and MnO2@m-SiO2.The spectrum of MnO2@PDA shows that the intensity of oxygen is relatively increased compared to that of MnO2, and the peaks for carbon and nitrogen appeared.After coating PEI onto MnO2@PDA, the intensities of carbon and nitrogen were relatively increased.After the silicification of MnO2@PDA-PEI, the peak intensity of oxygen was relatively increased, and the peaks of Si2s and Si2p appeared.After calcination forming MnO2@m-SiO2, the peak intensities of carbon and nitrogen were significantly decreased, indicating that most of the PDA and PEI were removed.XPS spectra of MnO2, MnO2@PDA, MnO2@PDA-PEI, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2.
Figure 3 shows the XPS spectra of Mn 2p3/2 region for MnO2, MnO2@PDA, and MnO2@m-SiO2.The peaks around 641.4 and 642.4 eV are assigned to Mn 3+ and Mn 4+ , respectively [35].The surface element ratio of Mn 3+ to Mn 4+ for MnO2 was 0.230.After coating PDA on MnO2, the surface element ratio was increased to 0.72.This is due to the redox reaction between MnO2 and dompamine.After removing PDA and PEI from MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 by calcination under 400 °C, the surface element ratio of Mn 3+ to Mn 4+ for MnO2@m-SiO2 was 0.232, which is almost equal to that for MnO2.It is indicated that the oxidation state of Mn of MnO2@m-SiO2 has changed little in comparison to that for MnO2.FTIR spectra of MnO 2 , MnO 2 @PDA, MnO 2 @PDA-PEI, MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .PDA: polydopamine; PEI: polyethyleneimine Figure 2 shows the XPS spectra of MnO 2 , MnO 2 @PDA, MnO 2 @PDA-PEI, MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 , and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .The spectrum of MnO 2 @PDA shows that the intensity of oxygen is relatively increased compared to that of MnO 2 , and the peaks for carbon and nitrogen appeared.After coating PEI onto MnO 2 @PDA, the intensities of carbon and nitrogen were relatively increased.After the silicification of MnO 2 @PDA-PEI, the peak intensity of oxygen was relatively increased, and the peaks of Si2s and Si2p appeared.After calcination forming MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 , the peak intensities of carbon and nitrogen were significantly decreased, indicating that most of the PDA and PEI were removed.
Figure 1.FTIR spectra of MnO2, MnO2@PDA, MnO2@PDA-PEI, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2.PDA: polydopamine; PEI: polyethyleneimine Figure 2 shows the XPS spectra of MnO2, MnO2@PDA, MnO2@PDA-PEI, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2, and MnO2@m-SiO2.The spectrum of MnO2@PDA shows that the intensity of oxygen is relatively increased compared to that of MnO2, and the peaks for carbon and nitrogen appeared.After coating PEI onto MnO2@PDA, the intensities of carbon and nitrogen were relatively increased.After the silicification of MnO2@PDA-PEI, the peak intensity of oxygen was relatively increased, and the peaks of Si2s and Si2p appeared.After calcination forming MnO2@m-SiO2, the peak intensities of carbon and nitrogen were significantly decreased, indicating that most of the PDA and PEI were removed.XPS spectra of MnO2, MnO2@PDA, MnO2@PDA-PEI, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2.
Figure 3 shows the XPS spectra of Mn 2p3/2 region for MnO2, MnO2@PDA, and MnO2@m-SiO2.The peaks around 641.4 and 642.4 eV are assigned to Mn 3+ and Mn 4+ , respectively [35].The surface element ratio of Mn 3+ to Mn 4+ for MnO2 was 0.230.After coating PDA on MnO2, the surface element ratio was increased to 0.72.This is due to the redox reaction between MnO2 and dompamine.After removing PDA and PEI from MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 by calcination under 400 °C, the surface element ratio of Mn 3+ to Mn 4+ for MnO2@m-SiO2 was 0.232, which is almost equal to that for MnO2.It is indicated that the oxidation state of Mn of MnO2@m-SiO2 has changed little in comparison to that for MnO2. Figure 3 shows the XPS spectra of Mn 2p3/2 region for MnO 2 , MnO 2 @PDA, and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .The peaks around 641.4 and 642.4 eV are assigned to Mn 3+ and Mn 4+ , respectively [35].The surface element ratio of Mn 3+ to Mn 4+ for MnO 2 was 0.230.After coating PDA on MnO 2 , the surface element ratio was increased to 0.72.This is due to the redox reaction between MnO 2 and dompamine.After removing PDA and PEI from MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 by calcination under 400 • C, the surface element ratio of Mn 3+ to Mn 4+ for MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 was 0.232, which is almost equal to that for MnO 2 .It is indicated that the oxidation state of Mn of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 has changed little in comparison to that for MnO 2 .The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm of MnO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2, and the corresponding Barrete-Joynere-Halenda (BJH) pore size distribution are presented in Figure 4.The isotherm of MnO2@m-SiO2 displayed a hysteresis loop within the relative pressure range of 0.5-0.9(Figure 4a), indicating the presence of mesoporous pores in the sample of MnO2@m-SiO2.The pore size distributions of the two samples (Figure 4b) were calculated by desorption isotherm using the Barrete-Joynere-Halenda method [36].For the sample of MnO2, there was a small peak around 2.6 nm.For the sample of MnO2@m-SiO2, there was a sharp peak around 3.8 nm.On the basis of the N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, the BET surface area of MnO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2 were determined to be 33.2 m 2 /g and 51.7 m 2 /g, respectively.The increase in BET surface area for MnO2@m-SiO2 is ascribed to the shell being mesoporous SiO2.A larger specific surface area of MnO2@m-SiO2 is beneficial for adsorbing and removing dyes.The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm of MnO 2 and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 , and the corresponding Barrete-Joynere-Halenda (BJH) pore size distribution are presented in Figure 4.The isotherm of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 displayed a hysteresis loop within the relative pressure range of 0.5-0.9(Figure 4a), indicating the presence of mesoporous pores in the sample of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .The pore size distributions of the two samples (Figure 4b) were calculated by desorption isotherm using the Barrete-Joynere-Halenda method [36].For the sample of MnO 2 , there was a small peak around 2.6 nm.For the sample of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 , there was a sharp peak around 3.8 nm.On the basis of the N 2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, the BET surface area of MnO 2 and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 were determined to be 33.2 m 2 /g and 51.7 m 2 /g, respectively.The increase in BET surface area for MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 is ascribed to the shell being mesoporous SiO 2 .A larger specific surface area of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 is beneficial for adsorbing and removing dyes.The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm of MnO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2, and the corresponding Barrete-Joynere-Halenda (BJH) pore size distribution are presented in Figure 4.The isotherm of MnO2@m-SiO2 displayed a hysteresis loop within the relative pressure range of 0.5-0.9(Figure 4a), indicating the presence of mesoporous pores in the sample of MnO2@m-SiO2.The pore size distributions of the two samples (Figure 4b) were calculated by desorption isotherm using the Barrete-Joynere-Halenda method [36].For the sample of MnO2, there was a small peak around 2.6 nm.For the sample of MnO2@m-SiO2, there was a sharp peak around 3.8 nm.On the basis of the N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, the BET surface area of MnO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2 were determined to be 33.2 m 2 /g and 51.7 m 2 /g, respectively.The increase in BET surface area for MnO2@m-SiO2 is ascribed to the shell being mesoporous SiO2.A larger specific surface area of MnO2@m-SiO2 is beneficial for adsorbing and removing dyes.

Catalytic Degradation of RhB with MnO 2 @m-SiO 2
The degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) was carried out by immersing MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 in the RhB solutions.To have a comparison, MnO 2 and MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 were also used for the degradation/removal of RhB.During the processes, three obvious peaks of UV-Vis spectra were monitored at different immersion times of the materials.The peak at 554 nm is due to the presence of C=N and C=O groups of RhB (Figure 5).The peak at 499 nm is due to N-deethylated intermediate products of RhB.The decrease in absorbance at 259 nm is ascribed to the degradation of the aromatic part of RhB [37].The intensities of the absorbance at 554 and 259 nm were used to calculate the decolorization and degradation efficiencies, respectively.
Concomitant with the UV-Vis spectra, the photographs of decoloration of the RhB solutions are also presented.Thus, the progress of decoloration of RhB can be directly observed.The RhB decoloration efficiencies after 2 min were 98.7%, 64.9%, and 7.0% for MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 , MnO 2 , and MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 , respectively.These quantitative results are consistent with the decoloration results as illustrated by the upright photographs.When using MnO 2 and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 (Figure 5a,c), the absorbance at 499 nm indicated the formation of N-deethylated intermediate products.This confirmed that both MnO 2 and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 can oxidize RhB.While using MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 , the absorbance at 499 nm was not observed, indicating that MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 could not oxidize RhB, and the decoloration is due to the adsorption of RhB.After 90 min, the RhB degradation efficiencies for MnO 2 and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 were 61.2% and 84.9%, respectively.The results in Figure 5 demonstrated that MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 exhibited a much higher efficiency for the degradation of RhB MnO 2 .It has been also demonstrated that MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 adsorbed RhB from its aqueous solutions but did not degrade RhB.This is possibly due to fact that the PDA and PEI films have prevented the contacting of RhB with MnO 2 .

Catalytic Degradation of RhB with MnO2@m-SiO2
The degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) was carried out by immersing MnO2@m-SiO2 in the RhB solutions.To have a comparison, MnO2 and MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 were also used for the degradation/removal of RhB.During the processes, three obvious peaks of UV-Vis spectra were monitored at different immersion times of the materials.The peak at 554 nm is due to the presence of C=N and C=O groups of RhB (Figure 5).The peak at 499 nm is due to N-deethylated intermediate products of RhB.The decrease in absorbance at 259 nm is ascribed to the degradation of the aromatic part of RhB [37].The intensities of the absorbance at 554 and 259 nm were used to calculate the decolorization and degradation efficiencies, respectively.
Concomitant with the UV-Vis spectra, the photographs of decoloration of the RhB solutions are also presented.Thus, the progress of decoloration of RhB can be directly observed.The RhB decoloration efficiencies after 2 min were 98.7%, 64.9%, and 7.0% for MnO2@m-SiO2, MnO2, and MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2, respectively.These quantitative results are consistent with the decoloration results as illustrated by the upright photographs.When using MnO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2 (Figure 5a,c), the absorbance at 499 nm indicated the formation of N-deethylated intermediate products.This confirmed that both MnO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2 can oxidize RhB.While using MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2, the absorbance at 499 nm was not observed, indicating that MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 could not oxidize RhB, and the decoloration is due to the adsorption of RhB.After 90 min, the RhB degradation efficiencies for MnO2 and MnO2@m-SiO2 were 61.2% and 84.9%, respectively.The results in Figure 5 demonstrated that MnO2@m-SiO2 exhibited a much higher efficiency for the degradation of RhB than MnO2.It has been also demonstrated that MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 adsorbed RhB from its aqueous solutions but did not degrade RhB.This is possibly due to fact that the PDA and PEI films have prevented the contacting of RhB with MnO2.The photographs correspond to respective UV-Vis spectra.The figures in blue show the efficiencies of RhB decoloration/degradation.The efficiency of RhB decoloration is defined as A A /A ; A and A are the absorbances of the RhB solutions at 554 nm at initial time and after 90 min, respectively.The efficiency of RhB degradation is defined as A A /A ; A and A are the absorbances of the RhB solutions at 259 nm at the initial time and after 90 min, respectively.The concentrations of MnO2, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2, and MnO2@m-SiO2 were 5 mg/mL, and the concentration of RhB was 5 mg/mL.

Mechanism for Degradation of RhB with MnO2@m-SiO2
The TEM images in Figure 6, showing the morphology for MnO2, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2, and MnO2@m-SiO2 can help understand the advantages of MnO2@m-SiO2 over MnO2.By sequentially coating PDA and PEI and further silicification, a dense film was clearly observed on MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 (Figure 6b).As mentioned above, the film of PDA-PEI-SiO2 prevented the contacting of RhB with the MnO2 nanorods.As a result, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 could not degrade RhB.The film of PDA-PEI-SiO2 became mesoporous SiO2 by removing the PDA-PEI coatings through calcination under 400 °C.A tiny gap between the MnO2 core and the mesoporous SiO2 shell was generated as shown in Figure 6c.Scheme 2 schematically illustrates the processes for the degradation of RhB by using MnO2@m-SiO2.RhB molecules were first adsorbed and enriched on the surface of MnO2@m-SiO2.Then, the RhB molecules were transferred through the mesoporous SiO2 (m-SiO2) into the tiny gap region between m-SiO2 and MnO2 nanorods, and were then degraded by the MnO2 nanorods.The enrichment of RhB was due to the adsorption capability of SiO2 for dyes [11].Mesoporous silica has demonstrated being capable of entrapping dye molecules [19].Herein, the diffusion transfer of RhB through mesoporous SiO2 (m-SiO2) was driven by the concentration differential of RhB, as the concentration of RhB inside the tiny gap region was always kept lower due to the continuous degradation of RhB by the MnO2 nanorods.The composite MnO2@m-SiO2 with a core-shell structure combines the multiple functions together, including adsorption/enrichment, transfer and oxidation of RhB.The synergistic effect of the multiple functions facilitated and promoted the degradation of RhB.Thus, MnO2@m-SiO2 exhibited a much higher efficiency for degradation of RhB than MnO2. Figure 7 shows the consecutive use of MnO2@m-SiO2 for the degradation of RhB.After six cycles of reuse of MnO2@m-SiO2, the RhB decoloration and degradation efficiencies were 98.2% and 71.1%, respectively, indicating a good reusability of MnO2@m-SiO2.are the absorbances of the RhB solutions at 259 nm at the initial time and after 90 min, respectively.The concentrations of MnO 2 , MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 , and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 were 5 mg/mL, and the concentration of RhB was 5 mg/mL.

Mechanism for Degradation of RhB with MnO 2 @m-SiO 2
The TEM images in Figure 6, showing the morphology for MnO 2 , MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 , and MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 can help understand the advantages of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 over MnO 2 .By sequentially coating PDA and PEI and further silicification, a dense film was clearly observed on MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 (Figure 6b).As mentioned above, the film of PDA-PEI-SiO 2 prevented the contacting of RhB with the MnO 2 nanorods.As a result, MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 could not degrade RhB.The film of PDA-PEI-SiO 2 became mesoporous SiO 2 by removing the PDA-PEI coatings through calcination under 400 • C. A tiny gap between the MnO 2 core and the mesoporous SiO 2 shell was generated as shown in Figure 6c.Scheme 2 schematically illustrates the processes for the degradation of RhB by using MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .RhB molecules were first adsorbed and enriched on the surface of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .Then, the RhB molecules were transferred through the mesoporous SiO 2 (m-SiO 2 ) into the tiny gap region between m-SiO 2 and MnO 2 nanorods, and were then degraded by the MnO 2 nanorods.The enrichment of RhB was due to the adsorption capability of SiO 2 for dyes [11].Mesoporous silica has demonstrated being capable of entrapping dye molecules [19].Herein, the diffusion transfer of RhB through mesoporous SiO 2 (m-SiO 2 ) was driven by the concentration differential of RhB, as the concentration of RhB inside the tiny gap region was always kept lower due to the continuous degradation of RhB by the MnO 2 nanorods.The composite MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 with a core-shell structure combines the multiple functions together, including adsorption/enrichment, transfer and oxidation of RhB.The synergistic effect of the multiple functions facilitated and promoted the degradation of RhB.Thus, MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 exhibited a much higher efficiency for degradation of RhB than MnO 2 .Figure 7 shows the consecutive use of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 for the degradation of RhB.After six cycles of reuse of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 , the RhB decoloration and degradation efficiencies were 98.2% and 71.1%, respectively, indicating a good reusability of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 .

Materials
Dopamine hydrochloride (98%) and PEI were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Shanghai, China) and used as received.TEOS, MnSO4•H2O, K2Cr2O7, and H2SO4 were purchased from Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co. (Shanghai, China).All chemicals are analytical grade or higher, and they were used as received without any further purification.

Preparation of MnO2@m-SiO2 and Synthesis of MnO2 Nanoroads
For the experiment, 4.056 g of MnSO4•H2O and 2.354 g of K2Cr2O7 were mixed in 30 mL doubledistilled water.In addition, 3.0 mL H2SO4 was then added dropwise under stirring for 30 min.Then, the solution was transferred to a 50 mL Teflon-lined autoclave.The autoclave was sealed and heated in an oven at 120 °C for 12 h.When cooled to room temperature, the resulting brown-black precipitate was collected by filtering through a polycarbonate membrane (0.22 μm), and washed with doubledistilled water.MnO2 nanorods were finally obtained after drying at 80 °C overnight.

Preparation of MnO2@PDA
The experiment included 100 mg of MnO2 nanoroads being added into 100 mL Tris-buffer buffer (pH 8.5) under sonication for 15 min, and then 100 mg dopamine were added.The mixture was sonicated at room temperature for 5 min.The polydopamine-coated MnO2 nanorods were collected by centrifugation at 8000 g for 10 min, and washed with 30 mL double-distilled water.MnO2@PDA nanorods were finally obtained after vacuum-freeze drying for 5 h.

Preparation of MnO2@PDA-PEI
For the experiment, 50 mg MnO2@PDA was added to the PEI aqueous solution (25 mL, 2.0 mg/mL).After sonication for 15 min, MnO2@PDA-PEI was collected by filtering through a 450 nm polycarbonate membrane and then was dried at 80 °C with nitrogen-blowing.

Preparation of MnO2@m-SiO2
A solution consisting of 25 mL water and 5 mL TEOS was prepared.Furthermore, 50 mg MnO2@PDA-PEI was added to the solution and sonicated at room temperature.After 40 min, the formed MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 was collected by filtering through a 450 nm polycarbonate membrane and then was dried at 80 °C with nitrogen-blowing.Then, MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2 was calcined at 400 °C in air in order to remove PEI and PDA.After 4 h, the formed MnO2@m-SiO2 was collected.

Materials
Dopamine hydrochloride (98%) and PEI were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Shanghai, China) and used as received.TEOS, MnSO 4 •H 2 O, K 2 Cr 2 O 7 , and H 2 SO 4 were purchased from Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co. (Shanghai, China).All chemicals are analytical grade or higher, and they were used as received without any further purification.

Preparation of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 and Synthesis of MnO 2 Nanoroads
For the experiment, 4.056 g of MnSO 4 •H 2 O and 2.354 g of K 2 Cr 2 O 7 were mixed in 30 mL double-distilled water.In addition, 3.0 mL H 2 SO 4 was then added dropwise under stirring for 30 min.Then, the solution was transferred to a 50 mL Teflon-lined autoclave.The autoclave was sealed and heated in an oven at 120 • C for 12 h.When cooled to room temperature, the resulting brown-black precipitate was collected by filtering through a polycarbonate membrane (0.22 µm), and washed with double-distilled water.MnO 2 nanorods were finally obtained after drying at 80 • C overnight.

Preparation of MnO 2 @PDA
The experiment included 100 mg of MnO 2 nanoroads being added into 100 mL Tris-buffer buffer (pH 8.5) under sonication for 15 min, and then 100 mg dopamine were added.The mixture was sonicated at room temperature for 5 min.The polydopamine-coated MnO 2 nanorods were collected by centrifugation at 8000 g for 10 min, and washed with 30 mL double-distilled water.MnO 2 @PDA nanorods were finally obtained after vacuum-freeze drying for 5 h.

Preparation of MnO 2 @PDA-PEI
For the experiment, 50 mg MnO 2 @PDA was added to the PEI aqueous solution (25 mL, 2.0 mg/mL).After sonication for 15 min, MnO 2 @PDA-PEI was collected by filtering through a 450 nm polycarbonate membrane and then was dried at 80 • C with nitrogen-blowing.

Preparation of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2
A solution consisting of 25 mL water and 5 mL TEOS was prepared.Furthermore, 50 mg MnO 2 @PDA-PEI was added to the solution and sonicated at room temperature.After 40 min, the formed MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 was collected by filtering through a 450 nm polycarbonate membrane and then was dried at 80 • C with nitrogen-blowing.Then, MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 was calcined at 400 • C in air in order to remove PEI and PDA.After 4 h, the formed MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 was collected.

Characterization and Measurement
XPS spectra were measured using an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (Thermo VG ESCALAB250, Beijing, China).The measurement was carried out at the pressure of 2 × 10 −9 Pa.Mg K X-ray was used as the excitation source.UV-Vis spectra were measured on a Shimadzu spectrophotometer (UV2550-PC, Beijing, China).The BET methodology was utilized to calculate the specific surface area.The pore size distribution were derived from the desorption or adsorption branches of isotherms using the BJH model [36].
Infrared spectra were measured using an FTIR spectrometer (Bruker TENSOR 27, Beijing, China).A horizontal temperature-controlled attenuated total reflectance (ATR) with Zn Se Crystal was used.A liquid-nitrogen-cooled mercury-cadmium-telluride detector collected 128 scans per spectrum, and the resolution was 2 cm −1 .The ATR element spectrum was used as the background.Ultrapure nitrogen gas was introduced to purge water vapor.

Catalytic Activity Measurements
MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 was used to degrade the model dye RhB.Furthermore, 5 mg MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 was added into 10 mL of RhB solution with an initial concentration of 5 mg/mL.The pH was adjusted to be 2.5.MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 was well dispersed in the RhB solutions under sonication.After some time, the mixture was centrifuged at 8000 g to separate MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 from the solutions.The supernatant was subjected to UV-Vis spectra measurement using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer (UV2550-PC, Beijing, China).In order to explain the degradation process, MnO 2 and MnO 2 @PDA-PEI-SiO 2 have also been used to degrade/remove RhB at the same procedures and conditions.

Conclusions
A novel core-shell MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 has been prepared, consisting of MnO 2 nanorod as the core and mesoporous SiO 2 (m-SiO 2 ) as the shell.MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 has been used to degrade a model dye RhB.The shell m-SiO 2 functions to adsorb/enrich RhB and then to transfer RhB into the tiny gap region between the core and shell, and the core MnO 2 nanorod oxidizes the transferred RhB.The composite MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 combines the multiple functions together.Owing to the synergistic effect of the multiple functions, MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 has exhibited a much higher efficiency for degradation of RhB than MnO 2 .Consecutive use of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 has demonstrated that MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 can be used to catalyze multiple cycles of RhB degradation with a good recyclability at ambient temperature.

Figure 7 .
Figure 7. Consecutive use of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 for RhB decoloration (a) and degradation (b).The immersion time of MnO 2 @m-SiO 2 in the solution of RhB was 60 min for each cycle.