Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of α-Mn2O3

Abstract

Cubic α-Mn₂O₃ was synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment of a reaction mixture containing potassium permanganate and ascorbic acid taken in a molar ratio of 1: (1–1.5) followed by annealing in air. A possible mechanism for the formation of manganese(III) oxide was proposed. The main physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized α-Mn₂O₃ were determined using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. It was found that β-MnO₂, Mn₃O₄, and MnO/C and Mn₃O₄/C composites can be additionally obtained by varying the molar ratio of the components of the reaction mixture and the conditions of annealing of the precursors.