This paper describes the catalytic activity of various forms of manganese dioxides towards volatile organic compounds deep oxidation. Important differences in activity are evidenced for very closely related structures; the most active sample is a high surface area nsutite. A parallel is drawn between the findings in the literature of battery applications and the catalytic activity results. The superior activity of nsutite is attributed to a different oxygen coordination and to the clustering of cationic vacancies in the bulk which improves electronic and protonic conductivity.
Lahousse, C., Bernier, A., Gaigneaux, E., Ruiz, P., Grange, P., & Delmon, B. (1997). Activity of manganese dioxides towards VOC total oxidation in relation with their crystallographic characteristics. Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis, 110, 777-785. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-2991(97)81040-3 (Original work published 1997)