One Step Synthesis of One Dimensional Nano MnO₂ and Their Application as Oxidizing Agent for Polysulfide Polymers

In this work, MnO₂ nanowires and nanorods have been prepared via a simple hydrothermal reaction. The morphology of MnO₂ can be easily controlled by the change of the mole ratio of Mn⁷⁺ to Mn²⁺. And the obtained products are well characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), etc. The obtained MnO₂ samples are employed as the curing agent for polysulfide sealant. The maximum torque of the polysulfide polymer cured by MnO₂ nanowires is the highest. The performances are verified by rheological tests of the curing profile, mechanical analysis, and tensile strength tests. The results demonstrate that both of the nanowires and nanorods have excellent vulcanization effects and reinforcing effects in comparison with commercial MnO₂. The surface area, structure, and morphology of MnO₂ are used to analyze the possible reasons for their promising application in vulcanizing agents for polysulfide rubber.