Synthesis and characterization of manganese tetroxide(Mn_(3)O_(4))nanofibers by electrospinning technique

Manganese tetroxide(Mn_(3)O_(4))nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning homogeneous viscous solution of 20 wt%,28 wt%and 36 wt%manganese acetate in poly vinyl alcohol(PVA)and calcining the nanofibers at 1000℃for 2 h.Electrospinning was carried out at 9 kV DC with tip to collector distance(TCD)of 7 cm.Thermo gravimetric analysis(TGA)of the fibers indicates the pure phase of manganese oxide above 500℃.XRD analysis of calcined(at 1000℃)nanofibers indicates the formation of phase-pure tetragonal Mn_(3)O_(4).Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)studies show the fibers cylindrical with the diameters in the range of 100-600 nm and aspect ratio>1000.In general,the average diameter of the green fibers decreases with the increase in manganese acetate concentration.The diameter of calcined nanofibers is reduced by 34%.