THIN-FILMS OF OCTAHEDRAL MOLECULAR-SIEVES OF MANGANESE OXIDE

Octahedral layered molecular sieve materials (OL-1) having the birness ite structure have been synthesized using sol-gel preparation methods. The sol obtained by redox reaction between sucrose and KMnO4 is then used to make films via (a) immersion, (b) spray coating, (c) spin coat ing, and (d) spatula coating. Crystalline OL-1 thin films have been pr epared by methods a-c. Thin homogeneous films are most readily prepare d by spray coating. Spin coating leads to noncrystalline and manganese -deficient films. The films have been characterized by X-ray diffracti on, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, an d scanning Auger microscopy. The microscopy and Auger experiments show that there was no charging, implying these samples are good electrica l conductors. The films are free from large amounts of impurity ions a nd carbonaceous deposits formed during the syntheses.