Synthesis of Mn3O4 nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of a [bis(salicylidiminato)manganese(II)] complex

The present investigation reports on the novel synthesis of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles using thermal decomposition and their physicochemical characterization. The Mn₃O₄ nanoparticle powder has been prepared using [bis(salicylidiminato)manganese(II)] as a precursor. The effect of oleyl amine and triphenylphosphine on the particle morphology has been investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 25 nm. The structural study by X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates that these nanoparticles have a pure tetragonal phase. The phase pure samples were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for both Mn 2p and Mn 3s levels. The values of binding energies are consistent with related values reported in the literature.