Synthesis and microstructure of porous Mn-oxides

Porous Mn-oxide particles were synthesized by urea processing in combination with the thermal treatment of the precursor precipitated. The samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, DTA, FE-SEM and EDS. Upon heating of the precursor at 600 °C, α-Mn2O3 particles containing nanopores (cheese-like) were obtained. Most nanopores varied from ∼20 to 60 nm, and some were close to ∼100 nm in size. The α-Mn2O3 particles showed a strong twinning effect. At 1100 °C, Mn3O4 particles, obtained as a single crystal phase, formed a microporous 3D structure.