LAUSR

Abstract An understanding of the surface reducibility of a catalytically active oxide support is a pre-requisite to understanding its catalytic behavior. In this work, we report that through a stringent control over the phase and morphology of catalytically active MnO2 supports, a control over the surface reducibility can be achieved. Through temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), we prove a higher availability of lattice oxygen for the α-MnO2 phase, compared to that of β-MnO2. Furthermore, by modifying the synthesis method, we could engineer the morphology of the α-phase into nanoflowers which in turn leads to a higher surface area, further enhancing the activity. On the engineered support, decoration of Pt nanoparticles can lower the full conversion temperature for CO oxidation at a considerably low temperature.