Synthesis and spectroscopic investigations of Mn3O4 nanoparticles

Trimanganese tetraoxide (Mn3O4) nanoparticles have been synthesized via hydrothermal process. Nevertheless, homogeneous nanoparticles of Mn3O4 with platelet lozange shape were obtained. The crystallite size ranged from 40 to 70 nm. The Mn3O4 product was investigated by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (MET), and impedance spectroscopy. Electrical conductivity measurements showed that the as-synthesized Mn3O4 nanomaterial has a conductivity value which goes from 1.8 10−7 Ω−1 cm−1 at 298 K, to 23 10−5 Ω−1 cm−1 at 493 K. The temperature dependence of the conductivity between 298 and 493 K obeys to Arrhenius law with an activation energy of 0.48 eV.