Synthesis of MnO, Mn2O3 and Mn3O4 nanocrystal clusters by thermal decomposition of manganese glycerolate

We successfully prepared MnO, Mn2O3 and Mn3O4 nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of manganese (II) glycerolate in air or inert atmosphere at various temperatures. The thermal behavior during decomposition was analyzed by simultaneous thermal analysis. The manganese precursor was analyzed by X-Ray diffraction, SEM, SEM-EDS and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy to evaluate exact composition. The particle size of the obtained nanoparticles was determined from XRD patterns using Scherrer equation and also by transmission electron microscopy. Thanks to the extremely low sizes, such nanoparticles can be used at large-scales for industrial use.