Ovalbumin mediated synthesis of Mn3O4

By using Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺ salts, and freshly extracted ovalbumin, Mn₃O₄ nanocrystals have been synthesized successfully. The X-ray diffraction results indicated that the synthesized nanoparticles have only the spinel structure without the presence of any other phase impurities. As the ovalbumin–water mixture was highly basic, the process did not require any use of base to increase the pH where hydrolysis took place. A gel formed where water soluble ovalbumin proteins served as a perfect matrix for entrapment of metal ions (Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺). Upon heat treatment, the dried gel precursor decomposed into nanocrystalline Mn₃O₄. The discrepancy between the crystallite size from XRD and particle size SEM analysis reveals polycrystalline nature of the synthesized particles with this route. EPR analysis of Mn₃O₄ shows a narrow and symmetric line indicating the absence of hyperfine splitting.