In this research, silica-Mn oxide nanocomposites with a stable core-shell structure were prepared successfully by adding a Mn aqueous solution containing Mn nitrate, CTAB, and t-butanol into the colloid of spherical silica particles under basic condition. Mn oxide shells with a range of thickness from 7.92 nm to 29.89 nm could be formed on the surface of silica nanoparticles by changing the concentrations of TEOS and Mn nitrate as the precursors of silica and Mn oxide. As the higher concentration of Mn nitrate was added into the colloid of smaller silica particles, the Mn oxide shell became thicker. In addition, the crystal structure and the surface characteristics of silica-Mn oxide nanocomposites could be controlled efficiently by varying the calcination temperature. When the products were calcined at 500 degrees C and 800 degrees C, the pure crystal phase and the improved crystallinity of Mn3O4 and Mn2O3 in the composites could be obtained, respectively. Through this synthetic process, the thickness of Mn oxide shell could be increased up to 34.40 nm. The formed silica-Mn oxide composite particles were characterized by using FE-SEM, TEM, XRD, EDS, and BET. The catalytic performances of composites for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water were investigated in the presence of H2O2 at 25 degrees C. The silica-Mn3O4 composite particles synthesized through calcination at 500 degrees C for 6 h showed the highest catalytic activity for the degradation of MB. The degradation efficiencies of composites for MB were analyzed by using UV-vis spectrophotometer. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.