The role of tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide on the phase determination and electrical properties of γ-MnOOH synthesized by hydrothermal

gamma -MnOOH was synthesized by hydrothermal method at low temperature in the presence of tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide [TAH]. The phase of the final product was observed to be sensitive for the concentration of [TAH]. gamma -MnOOH appeared as a purr: and single phase, for the concentration range from 0.1 to 0.5 mole with respect to Mn. The powder prepared was found to have fiber morphology with a high surface area of 71.8 m(2)/g. Thermal and chemical analysis of gamma -MnOOH have been made by TGA/DTA, FTIR and DCP. This study indicates that the concentration of [TAH] affects the conductivity of the powder. The conductivity was explained in terms of the phase obtained in the final product after hydrothermal treatment. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.