In　this　paper,　we　present　an　approach　for　the　precisely　controlled　phase　transformation　of　MnO2　in　order　to　synthesise　different　compositions　of　alpha-/beta-MnO2　materials,　by　adding　a　trace　amount　of　Zn(acac)(2)　as　the　phase　transformation-inducing　agent　in　a　hydrothermal　reaction.　The　single-atomic　dispersion　of　Zn　might　reduce　the　barrier　of　phase　transformation　of　delta-MnO2　to　beta-MnO2.　The　ratio　of　the　Zn　species　present　in　the　single-atomic　dispersions　and　nanoclusters　might　dominate　the　generation　of　alpha-MnO2　and　beta-MnO2.　The　results　of　the　oxygen　reduction　reactions　indicate　that　the　MnO2　materials　have　potential　applications　as　promising　catalysts　in　electrochemical　catalysis.