Various manganese oxide nanorods with similar one-dimensional morphology were prepared by calcination of MnOOH nanorods under different gas atmosphere and at different temper- atures, which were synthesized by a hydrothermal route. The morphology and structure of MnOx catalysts were characterized by a series of techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and tempera- ture programmed reduction （TPR）. The catalytic activities of the prepared MnO~ nanorods were tested in the liquid phase aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol, which follow a sequence as MnO2〉Mn203~Mn304〉MnOOH with benzaldehyde being the main product. On the basis of H2-TPR results, the superior activity of MnO2 is ascribed to its lower reduction temperature and therefore high oxygen mobility and excellent redox ability. Moreover, a good recycling ability was observed over MnO2 catalysts by simply thermal treatment in air.
