It was observed that Co-based, Cu-based, Ag-based, and Ru-based catalysts were extensively studied in AOPs [
20–
22]. However, high costs discourage the use of Ag- and Ru-based catalysts for water treatment. The leaching of toxic metal ions is an Achilles heel for Co- and Cu-based catalysts during environmental remediation applications. Manganese oxide (MnO
x) has abundant reserves in nature, low toxicity, and is widely used in the fields of energy and catalysis, as a promising substitute for other metal oxides [
23,
24]. Moreover, MnO
x is closely related to life. MnO
x minerals in soil are the major source of Mn for plants and directly affect plant growth. Living organisms generally contain low levels of Mn. MnO
x is an important adsorption carrier for some heavy-metal ions, and this property aids in controlling the concentration and distribution of heavy metals in soil and water [
25]. In addition, MnO
x affects the fate of organic matter transformations, particularly those of humic substances [
26]. Recently, research on MnO
x has expanded to AOPs because of its abundant reserves, low cost, high tunability of catalytic activity, and low toxicity [
27,
28]. Different phase structures, Mn oxidation states, morphologies, and surface properties are major factors affecting MnO
x reactivity, which were the key components included in these studies [
29,
30]. The effect of MnO
2 phase structure on the oxidative reactivity has been researched [
24]. Mn(Ⅲ) is a key factor influencing catalytic activity. In addition, deep activation mechanisms in AOPs with MnO
x have also been increasingly studied. In a recent study, organic radicals generated using Mn species cycling were found to be responsible for the degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in Mn
3O
4/system [
31]. In the non-radical pathway, Mn
2O
3 acts as an electron shuttle between PMS and phenol to form long-lived surface-reactive Mn(Ⅳ) species, dominating the organic pollutants removal [
28]. To better understand the nature of MnO
x and synthesize more desirable low-cost, high-activity, and environmentally friendly catalysts, it is necessary to summarize the results obtained from all the reported studies on use of MnO
x for AOPs. However, the oxidant activation efficiency of pure MnO
x tends to be less than ideal, and the primary reactive species/pathways of pollutant degradation in various AOPs remain controversial. Hence, it is worth focusing on modifying MnO
x to obtain new and effective catalysts, as well as deeper probing into degradation mechanisms. The Mn(Ⅲ) (oxyhydr) oxides used for activating persulfate (PS) are summarized in a review [
32]. This review discussed the crystal structure of manganese(Ⅲ) (oxyhydr) oxides as well as the effect of catalyst composition and structure on the activation mechanism [
32]. Furthermore, Fe-Mn binary oxide, spinel MnFe
2O
4, and their applications have been reviewed in the field of water treatment, including adsorption, oxidation, and AOPs [
33,
34]. The catalysts mentioned above are a class of manganese oxides or their derivatives. They targeted parts of the AOPs that they belonged to a smaller branch. Some other studies have summarized the reported advances in Mn-based catalysts in AOPs [
2,
25]. A previous review summarized the formation of MnO
x and outlined the application and mechanism by that MnO
x activating various peroxides, which including H
2O
2, O
3 and PS, to degrade pollutants [
25]. The promotional effects of modification on the catalytic activity are also discussed. Another review summarized all the reported advances in Mn-based catalysts for PMS/PDS activation [
2]. With the development of research, more oxidants such as PAA and PI have gradually gained weight. Therefore, a comprehensive review of Mn-based catalysts for AOPs is required. In addition, the impacts of modification on the catalyst reactivity and mechanism should be examined in greater depth. Over the past five years, research on MnO
x and derivative-modified materials has grown. A summary of the latest catalyst mechanisms and modifications is lacking.