Synthesis and characterization of sol-processed α-MnO2 nanostructures

Nanostructure of alpha-MnO2 was prepared by air oxidation of manganese chloride (MnCl2) via sol processing by adding N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) as surface active material. The obtained material was conventionally annealed at 400 degrees C for 2 h. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The chemical reaction involved in the synthesis of alpha-MnO2 nanostructure was proposed and discussed. From XRD pattern, the purity and crystallinity of final product was observed. The synthesized alpha-MnO2 nanostructure showed an average crystallite size of 17 nm. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.