How can we create more efficient and sustainable catalysts for environmental and energy applications? This review explores Mn-based mullite oxides AMn2O5 (A = lanthanide, Y, Bi) as a novel type of ternary catalyst, highlighting their unique electronic and geometric structures for various catalytic reactions. These catalysts show promise in environmental treatment, energy conversion, and storage. The review examines the physicochemical properties of Mn-based mullites, emphasizing the coexistence of pyramid Mn3+–O and octahedral Mn4+–O, which selectively activates the d-orbital. It also discusses the alternative edge- and corner-sharing stacking configuration that constructs confined active sites and abundant active oxygen species. The comprehensive analysis demonstrates the superior catalytic behaviors of Mn-based mullites in low-temperature oxidation of CO, NO, and VOCs. Their distinctive structures also facilitate applications in ORR and SRR, gas-sensitive sensing, ionic conduction, and more, providing insights for designing heterogeneous catalysts.
Published in Advanced Materials, this review is highly relevant to the journal's focus on materials science, chemistry, and physics. It explores the properties and applications of a novel type of catalyst, contributing to the journal's coverage of cutting-edge research in materials for energy and environmental applications.