Facile synthesis and electrochemical properties of Mn3O4 nanoparticles with a large surface area

Mn3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by a novel oxidation-precipitation method at a low temperature. The crystal phase, microstructure, surface area and electrochemical properties of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results indicate that the addition of citric acid and tartaric acid remarkably reduced the particle size and increased the specific surface area of Mn3O4 nanoparticles. The samples prepared by the addition of citric acid and tartaric acid have a narrow particle size distribution of 5-10 nm, a surface area of 119 and 122 m(2)/g, and a capacitance of 171 and 172 F g(-1), respectively. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.