A simple direct preparation of nanocrystalline gamma-Mn2O3 at ambient temperature

Nanocrystalline gamma -Mn2O3 has been prepared directly by the reduction of aqueous KMnO4 with hydrazine solution at ambient temperature, without post -treatment of heating. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern demonstrates its good phase purity. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show h omogeneous nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The average grain size is about 9 nm. The evolution of crystallite size upon the annealing t emperature was investigated. The effect of various reaction factors, e.g., pH, concentration of N2H4 and additants, on the nature of products was also investigated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.