Application of Differential Scanning Calorimetry to the Reduction of Several Manganese Oxides

The aim of this work was to study the thermal transitions of several manganese oxides (MnO, MnOOH, Mn₂O₃, Mn₃O₄ and MnO₂) under reducing conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to analyse the transitions of some oxides into others. A comparison of the behavior of the synthetic samples with that of a natural manganese dioxide demonstrated that DSC is a quick tool for the distinction of natural manganese dioxide from synthetic γ-MnO₂ from other manganese oxides. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Investigation on the catalytic activity of doped low-percentage oxide catalysts Mn/ZnO obtained from oxalate precursor

The precursors with a low manganese content ≤ 0.07% Mn were synthesized by spontaneous crystallization from Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺ and C₂O₄ ²⁻-containing solutions. The initial ratio Zn²⁺:C₂O₄ ²⁻ = 1:1 and 1:2 influences the morphology and prevailing orientations of the crystallites in the oxalate samples. The presence of such small Mn content in the samples does not change the morphology or size of the crystals. The ZnO and Mn/ZnO oxides with manganese content from 0.51×10⁻² to 15.1×10⁻² Wt % are obtained after thermal decomposition of the oxalates. The oxides preserved the morphology of the precursors. The catalytic tests show that the pure ZnO has a poor activity for CO oxidation reaction. Its doping with Mn promotes the catalytic activity (up from twice to five times) in spite of the very low contents of the dopants. The observed increase of the activity depends on both dopant concentration and Zn²⁺:C₂O₄ ²⁻ ratio, probably due to the different mechanism of the manganese inclusion and different morphology of the oxides. The catalysts of the 1:2 series are more active in CO oxidation reaction.      

State of manganese ions in the structure of corundum synthesized in supercritical water fluid

The kinetics and formation mechanism of doped corundum (α-Al₂O₃) from hydrargillite (γ-Al(OH)₃) in supercritical water fluid (SCWF) in the presence of manganese ions are studied. It was ascertained that due to the reversible dehydroxylation in an aqueous medium, solid-phase transformation of hydrargillite into boehmite (γ-AlOOH) and then into corundum occurs with the formation of well-faceted corundum micro-crystals that are uniformly doped with manganese. It was found that when Mn²⁺ or MnO₄⁻ ions are introduced into the reaction medium, Mn⁵⁺, Mn⁴⁺, Mn³⁺, and Mn²⁺ ions are observed in the synthesized corundum. Meanwhile, the manganese ions form a complex defect in the corundum structure, which comprises oxygen vacancies and hydroxyl groups. The defects in corundum that emerge upon doping with manganese in SCWF are different from those in corundum doped during high-temperature synthesis.     

Uniform particles of manganese compounds obtained by forced hydrolysis of manganese(II) acetate

 Procedures for the preparation at low temperature (80 °C) of uniform colloids consisting of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles (about 20 nm) or elongated α-MnOOH particles with length less than 2 μm and width 0.4 μm or less, based on the forced hydrolysis of aqueous manganese(II) acetate solutions in the absence (Mn₃O₄) or the presence (α-MnOOH) of HCl are described. These solids are only produced under a very restrictive range of reagent concentrations involving solutions of 0.2–0.4 mol dm⁻³ manganese(II) acetate for Mn₃O₄ and of 1.6–2 mol dm⁻³ Mn(II) and 0.2–0.3 mol dm⁻³ HCl for α-MnOOH. The role that the acetate anions play in the precipitation of these solids is analyzed. It seems that these anions promote the oxidation of Mn(II) to Mn(III), which readily hydrolyze causing precipitation. The evolution of the characteristics of the powders with temperature up to 900 °C is also reported. Thus, Mn₃O₄ particles transform to Mn₂O₃ upon calcination at 800 °C; this is accompained by a sintering process. The α-MnOOH sample also experiences several phase transformations on heating. First, it is oxidized at low temperatures (250–450 °C) giving MnO₂ (pyrolusite), which is further reduced to Mn₂O₃ at 800 °C. After this process the particles still retain their elongated shape. Received: 19 October 1999 Accepted: 24 November 1999     

Electrode reactions of manganese oxides for secondary lithium batteries

Nanorods of MnO₂, Mn₃O₄, Mn₂O₃ and MnO are synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and subsequent annealing. It is shown that though different oxides experience distinct phase transition processes in the initial discharge, metallic Mn and Li₂O are the end products of discharge, while MnO is the end product of recharge for all these oxides between 0.0 and 3.0 V vs. Li⁺/Li. Of these 4 manganese oxides, MnO is believed the most promising anode material for lithium ion batteries while MnO₂ is the most promising cathode material for secondary lithium batteries.     

Transformations of manganese oxides under different thermal conditions

Thermal decomposition of various synthetic manganese oxides (MnO, Mn₃O₄, Mn₂O₃, MnOOH) and a natural manganese dioxide (MnO₂) from Gabon was studied with the help of termogravimetry in inert, oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The compounds were characterized by XRD and electrochemical activity was tested by cyclic voltammetry using a carbon paste electrode. The natural manganese dioxide showed the best oxidizing and reducing capacity, confirmed by the lower temperatures of the transitions, the extent of the reactions and electrochemical performance in cyclic voltammograms.     

催化苯甲醇液相氧化反应的高效无定形氧化锰催化剂

研究了焙烧温度对无定形氧化锰的织构及其催化苯甲醇液相氧化反应性能的影响.结果表明,在焙烧温度不高于400℃的条件下,MnOx均保持无定形结构,进一步提高焙烧温度会促使无定形MnOx转变为晶相的OMS-2和Mn2O3.不同氧化锰催化剂的质量比活性随焙烧温度的升高而逐渐降低,无定形MnOx比晶相氧化锰(OMS-2,γ-MnO2和Mn2O3)具有更高的质量比活性,而110℃干燥的无定形氧化锰具有最高的活性.H2-程序升温还原研究表明,氧化锰的起始还原温度与其质量比活性之间存在线性逆变关系,表明氧化锰的还原性能是决定其催化活性的关键因素.     

Effect of the oxidation state of manganese in the manganese oxides used in the synthesis of Mn-substituted cordierite on the properties of the product

Catalysts based on Mn-substituted cordierite 2MnO · 2Al₂O₃ · 5SiO₂ have been synthesized using different manganese oxides (MnO, Mn₂O₃, and MnO₂) at a calcination temperature of 1100°C. The catalysts differ in their physicochemical properties, namely, phase composition (cordierite content and crystallinity), manganese oxide distribution and dispersion, texture, and activity in high-temperature ammonia oxidation. The synthesis involving MnO yields Mn-substituted cordierite with a defective structure, because greater part of the manganese cations is not incorporated in this structure and is encapsulated and the surface contains a small amount of manganese oxides. This catalyst shows the lowest ammonia oxidation activity. The catalysts prepared using Mn₂O₃ or MnO₂ are well-crystallized Mn-substituted cordierite whose surface contains different amounts of manganese oxides differing in their particle size. They ensure a high nitrogen oxides yield in a wide temperature range. The product yield increases with an increasing surface concentration of Mn³⁺ cations. The highest NO_x yield (about 76% at 800–850°C) is observed for the MnO₂-based catalyst, whose surface contains the largest amount of manganese oxides.     

Solid-solid interactions in pure and Li2O-doped manganese and magnesium mixed oxides system

The solid-solid interactions between manganese and magnesium oxides in absence and in presence of small amounts of Li₂O have been investigated. The molar ratios between manganese and magnesium oxides in the form of Mn₂O₃ and MgO were varied between 0.05:1 to 0.5:1. The mixed solids were calcined in air at 400-1000°C. The techniques employed were DTA, XRD and H₂O₂ decomposition at 20-40°C.The results obtained revealed that solid-solid interactions took place between the reacting solids at 600-1000°C yielding magnesium manganates (Mg₂MnO₄, Mg₆MnO₈, MgMnO₄ besides unreacted portions of MgO, Mn₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄). Li₂O-doping (0.75-6 mol%) of the investigated system followed by calcination at 600 and 800°C decreased progressively the intensity of the diffraction lines of Mn₂O₃ (Bixbyite) with subsequent increase in the lattice parameter 'a' of MgO to an extent proportional to the amount of Li₂O added. This finding might suggest that the doping process enhanced the dissolution of Mn₂O₃ in MgO forming solid solution. This treatment led also to the formation of Li₂MnO₃. Furthermore, the doping with 3 and 6 mol% Li₂O conducted at 800°C resulted in the conversion of Mn₂O₃ into Mn₃O₄, a process that took place at 1000°C in absence of Li₂O. The produced Li₂MnO₃ phase remained stable by heating at up to 1000°C. Furthermore, Li₂O doping of the investigated system at 400-1000°C resulted in a progressive measurable increase in the particle size of MgO.The catalytic activity measurements showed that the increase in the molar ratio of Mn₂O₃ in the samples precalcined at 400-800°C was accompanied by a significant increase in the catalytic activity of the treated solids. The maximum increase in the catalytic activity expressed as reaction rate constant measured at 20°C (k _20°C) attained 3.14, 2.67 and 3.25-fold for the solids precalcined at 400, 600 and 800°C, respectively. Li₂O-doping of the samples having the formula 0.1 Mn₂O₃/MgO conducted at 400-600°C brought a progressive significant increase in its catalytic activity. The maximum increase in the value of k _20°C due to Li₂O attained 1.93 and 2.75-fold for the samples preheated at 400 and 600°C, respectively and opposite effect was found for the doped samples preheated at 800°C.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Partially substituted lithium manganese oxides as 3 V cathode materials for secondary lithium batteries

Low temperature synthesis and electrochemical properties of partially substituted lithium manganese oxides are reported. We demonstrate various metallic cations (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co³⁺) can be incorporated in the 3 V layered cathodic material Li_0.45MnO_2.1. New compounds Li_0.45Mn_0.88Fe_0.12O_2.1, Li_0.45Mn_0.84Ni_0.16O_2.05, Li_0.45Mn_0.79Cu_0.21O_2.3, Li_0.45Mn_0.85Co_0.15O_2.3 are prepared. These 3 V cathode materials are characterized by the same shape of discharge-charge profiles but different values of the specific capacity, between 90 mAh g⁻¹ and 180 mAh g⁻¹. The best results in terms of capacity and cycle life are obtained with the selected content of 0.15 Co per mole of oxide, as the optimum composition. The high kinetics of Li⁺ transport in Li_0.45Mn_0.85Co_0.15O_2.3 compared to that in the Co-free material is consistent with a substitution of Mn(III) by Co(III) in MnO₂ sheets.     

Structural and magnetic properties of orthorhombic LixMnO2

Rietveld refinement of the crystal and magnetic structures of Li_xMnO₂ (x = 0.98, 1.00, 1.02) are performed using neutron and X-ray measurements. A significant structural disorder due to the presence of manganese ions in lithium positions (Mn_Li) and lithium ions in manganese ones (Li_Mn) is found to be a common feature of Li_0.98MnO₂, Li_1.00MnO₂, and Li_1.02MnO₂.An essential anisotropy of the thermal-expansion coefficients of the lithium manganese oxides is observed in the temperature range of 1.5–300 K. Furthermore, the distortion of the oxygen octahedral environment around the manganese ions decreases when the temperature lowers. This is attributed to the strong exchange interactions between parallel exchange-coupled Mn chains. First-principles calculations of the effective exchange-interaction parameters in Li₁₆Mn₁₆O₃₂ confirm the essential antiferromagnetic interactions between the chains. In addition, a hypothetical (Li₁₅Mn)Mn₁₆O₃₂ structure where a lithium atom located between the Mn double layers is replaced by a manganese atom is considered. The calculations reveal that the presence of such defects results in appearance of a ferromagnetic component that agrees with the magnetic measurements.     

MnO x -Al2O3 catalysts for deep oxidation prepared with the use of mechanochemical activation: The effect of synthesis conditions on the phase composition and catalytic properties

The catalytic activity of alumina-manganese catalysts in the oxidation of CO was studied. The MnO _x -Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by an extrusion method with the introduction of mechanically activated components (manganese oxide and its mixtures with aluminum oxide, aluminum hydroxide, and a mixture of a manganese salt with aluminum hydroxide) into a paste of aluminum hydroxide followed by thermal treatment in air or argon at 1000°C. In the majority of cases, the catalysts contained a mixture of the phases of β-Mn₃O₄ (Mn₂O₃), α-Al₂O₃, and δ-Al₂O₃. The presence of low-temperature δ-Al₂O₃ suggested the incomplete interaction of manganese and aluminum oxides. It was found that the catalytic activity of MnO _x -Al₂O₃ depends on the degree of interaction of the initial reactants, and its value is correlated with the amount of β-Mn₃O₄ in the active constituent. The intermediate thermal treatment of components at 700°C negatively affects the catalytic activity as a result of the formation of Mn₂O₃ and the coarsening of particles, which levels the results of mechanochemical activation. The greatest degree of interaction between Al- and Mn-containing components was reached in the selection of mechanochemical activation conditions by decreasing the size of grinding bodies, optimizing the time of mechanochemical activation, and using the mechanochemical activation of precursor mixtures. As a result of mechanochemical activation, the initial reactants were dispersed, the amounts of MnO₂ and Mn₂O₃ changed, and defects were formed; this strengthened the interaction of components and increased catalytic activity.     

Thermal Decompositions of Pure and Mixed Manganese Carbonate and Ammonium Molybdate Tetrahydrate

The thermal decompositions of pure and mixed manganese carbonate and ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate in molar ratios of 3:1, 1:1 and1:3 were studied by DTA and TG techniques. The prepared mixed solid samples were calcined in air at 500, 750 or 1000°C and then investigated by means of an XRD technique. The results revealed that manganese carbonate decomposed in the range 300–1000°C, within termediate formation of MnO₂, Mn₂O₃ andMn₃O₄. Ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate first lost its water of crystallization on heating, and then decomposed, yielding water and ammonia. At 340°C,MoO₃ was the final product, which melts at 790°C. The thermal treatment of the mixed solids at 500, 750 or 1000°C led to solid-solid interactions between the produced oxides, with the formation of manganese molybdate. At 1000°C, Mn₂O₃ and MoO₃ were detected, due to the mutual stabilization effect of these oxides at this temperature. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Application of microcalorimetry and principal component analysis

Thermogravimetric analysis was used in order to study the reduction in air of submicronic powders of Co_3−x Mn _x O₄ spinels, with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. For x = 0 (i.e. Co₃O₄), cation reduction occurred in a single step. It involved the Co^III ions at the octahedral sites, which were reduced to Co²⁺ on producing CoO. For 0 < x ≤ 1, the reduction occurred in two stages at increasing temperature with increasing amounts of manganese. The first step corresponded to the reduction of octahedral Co^III ions and the second was attributed to the reduction of octahedral Mn⁴⁺ ions to Mn³⁺. From the individual weight losses and the electrical neutrality of the lattice, the Co^III and Mn⁴⁺ ion concentrations were calculated. The distribution of cobalt and manganese ions present on each crystallographic site of the spinel was determined. In contrast to most previous studies that took into account either Co^III and Mn³⁺ or Co²⁺, Co^III and Mn⁴⁺ only, our thermal analysis study showed that Co²⁺/Co^III and Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ pairs occupy the octahedral sites. These results were used to explain the resistivity measurements carried out on dense ceramics prepared from our powders sintered at low temperature (700–750 °C) in a Spark Plasma Sintering apparatus.     

Studies on the formation of manganese molybdate

The reaction of MoO₃ with various oxides of manganese (MnO, Mn₂O₃, Mn₃O₄ and MnO₂) and with MnCO₃ has been studied in air and nitrogen atmospheres employing DTA, TG and X-ray diffraction methods, with a view to elucidating the conditions for the formation of MnMoO₄. Thermal decomposition of MnCO₃ has also been studied in air and nitrogen atmospheres to help understand the mechanism of the reaction between MnCO₃ and MoO₃. The studies reveal that, whereas MnO, Mn₂O₃ and MnO₂ react smoothly with MoO₃ to form MnMoO₄, Mn₃O₄ does not react with MoO₃ in the temperature range investigated (48O–6OO°C). An equimolar mixture of MnCO₃ and MoO₃ reacts in air to yield MnMoO₄, while only a mixture of Mn₃O₄ and MoO₃ remains as final product when the same reaction is carried out in nitrogen. Marker studies reveal that manganese ions are the main diffusing species in the reaction between MoO₃ and manganese oxides that result in MnMoO₄.     

Complete oxidation of ethanol over MnOx

MnO_x was synthesized through the oxidation of MnCO₃ and its catalytic activity in the complete oxidation of ethanol was determined. Analyses of the catalyst through in situ X-Ray Diffraction and in situ DRIFTS spectroscopy showed the presence of Mn₂O₃ (bixbyite) and γMnO_2. The catalytic activity of MnO_x depends on the mixtures of oxides and the treatment before reaction. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Activity and selectivity of manganese oxides in alcohols Conversion as influenced by gamma-irradiation

Manganese oxide samples obtained from thermal decomposition of manganese carbonate at 400 and 600 °C were subjected to different doses of g-irradiation within the range 0.2 to 1.6 MGy. The surface and catalytic properties of the above samples were studied using nitrogen adsorption isotherms measured at -196 °C and catalytic conversion of ethanol and isopropanol at 300-400 °C using micropulse technique. The results obtained revealed that manganese oxides obtained at 400 °C consisted of a mixture of Mn₂O₃ and MnO₂ while the samples calcined at 600 °C composed entirely of Mn₂O₃. Gamma-irradiation resulted in a decrease in the particle size of manganese oxide phases with subsequent increase in their specific surface areas. Gamma-irradiation with 0.2 and 0.8 MGy effected a measurable progressive decrease in the catalytic activity in dehydration and dehydrogenation of both alcohols. However, the treated catalyst retained their initial activity upon exposure to a dose of 1.6 MGy. Also, g-irradiation increased the selectivities of the investigated solids towards dehydrogenation of both alcohols. The catalyst samples precalcined at 600 °C exhibited higher catalytic activities than those precalcined at 400 °C.     

New baths for the deposition of manganese and cobalt oxides

New methods have been adopted for the anodic deposition of the different manganese and cobalt oxides. The deposition of the diferent oxides is usually carried out from their metal salt solutions in presence of a reducing agent. The oxides deposited are as follows: Mn₂O₃ from manganous sulphate in presence of boric, acid and formaldehyde at pH=5.5, Mn₃O₄ from manganous sulphate in presence of formic acid at pH=5.0 MnO from manganous sulphate-ammonium chloride solution in presence of telluric acid, Co₂O₃ from cobalt chloride in presence of telluric acid and sodium fluoride, Co₃O₄ from cobaltite in presence of formaldehyde and potassium chloride and finally CoO from cobalt chloride in presence of alcohol. The results of chemical analysis revealed that the purity of the oxides is 99.99% and their molecular formulae are MnO_1.5, MnO_1.33, MnO, CoO_1.5, CoO_1.33 and CoO respectively.     

Properties of the surface layer and catalytic activity of Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> with Pt or Pd additives in the oxidation of hydrogen

The catalytic activity in the oxidation of hydrogen (in the gaseous state in the presence of excess oxygen) has been studied for samples of Pt(Pd)/Ta₂O_5−x, formed by reduction with hydrogen. The samples obtained had greater activity than the traditional catalysts Pt(Pd)/Al₂O₃. According to X-ray diffraction analysis and electron microscopic studies, Ta₂O_5−x becomes amorphous with the formation of more reduced non-stoichiometric oxygen-deficient tantalum oxides with a surface layer of catalyst. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 180–185, May–June, 2008.     

Effect of the Calcination Temperature and Composition of the MnO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> System on Its Structure and Catalytic Properties in a Reaction of Carbon Monoxide Oxidation

The effect of the calcination temperature and composition of the MnO_x–ZrO₂ system on its structural characteristics and catalytic properties in the reaction of CO oxidation was studied. According to X-ray diffraction analysis and H₂ thermo-programmed reduction data, an increase in the calcination temperature of Mn_0.12Zr_0.88O₂ from 450 to 900°C caused a structural transformation of the system accompanied by the disintegration of solid solution with the release of manganese ions from the structure of ZrO₂ and the formation of, initially, highly dispersed MnO_x particles and then a crystallized phase of Mn₃O₄. The dependence of the catalytic activity of MnO_x–ZrO₂ in the reaction of CO oxidation on the calcination temperature takes an extreme form. A maximum activity was observed after heat treatment at 650–700°C, i.e., at limiting temperatures for the occurrence of a solid solution of manganese ions in the cubic modification of ZrO₂. If the manganese content was higher than that in the sample of Mn_0.4Zr_0.6O₂, the phase composition of the system changed: the solid solution phase was supplemented with Mn₂O₃ and β-Mn₃O₄ phases. The samples of Mn_0.4Zr_0.6O₂–Mn_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ exhibited a maximum catalytic activity; this was likely due to the presence of the highly dispersed MnO_x particles, which were not the solid solution constituents, on their surface in addition to an increase in the dispersity of the solid solution.