Characterization of nonstoichiometric nickel manganite spinels NixMn3−x□3δ/4O4+δ by temperature programmed reduction

Cation deficient spinels Ni_xMn_3?x□_3δ/4O_4+δ (0≤x≤1) have been prepared by thermal decomposition of mixed oxalates Ni_x/3Mn_(3?x)/3(C₂O₄)·nH₂O in air at 623 K. They have been characterised by temperature programmed reduction (TPR) under H₂, the reaction being followed by gravimetric and powder X-ray diffraction measurements. It has been shown that TPR proceeds in several steps. The first steps correspond to the loss of nonstoichiometric oxygen leading to the formation of a stoichiometric oxide. During the following stages the manganese cations are reduced, causing the spinel structure to be destroyed, and the formation of solid solution of NiO in a cubic MnO. Subsequently, Ni²⁺ cations undergo a reduction to metallic nickel, and, finally, a mixture of nonstoichiometric MnO_1?δ and metallic nickel is formed. These oxides contain a high level of vacancies which vary with the nickel content with a maximum of δ≈1 near x=0.6. This nonstoichiometry is ascribed both to the presence of Ni³⁺ and excess of Mn⁴⁺.