Formation of Mn3O4nanoparticles from the cluster [Mn12O12(C2H5COO)16(H2O)3] anchored to hybrid mesoporous silica

Abstract

A new approach to the synthesis and the organization of Mn₃O₄ (hausmannite) nanoparticles has been developed using the thermolysis of the magnetic cluster [Mn₁₂O₁₂(C₂H₅COO)₁₆(H₂O)₃] linked to a SBA-15 mesoporous silica functionalized with –COOH groups. The obtained composites were studied by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), nitrogen sorption (BET), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and magnetic measurements. These measurements reveal the presence of uniformly sized pure Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles inside the silica matrix. The nanoparticle size is in good correlation with the pore size of the hybrid silica used. All the data demonstrate that the anchoring of the cluster in the silica plays a crucial role in the fabrication of the nanocomposites.