Transition metal manganites prepared by a green and low-temperature wet chemistry route, investigated by XPS

In the present contribution, three transition metal manganites, namely the copper manganite CuMnO₂ and the zinc manganites ZnMnO₃ and ZnMn₂O₄, were investigated through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The chosen synthesis route involved the combination of coprecipitation of oxalates from an aqueous solution and hydrothermal processing at a mild temperature (180 °C). The precipitates were then separated and dried for 4 h at 80 °C, yielding crystalline nanostructured powders without the need for calcination. Along with survey scans of the analyzed samples, detailed spectra of the C 1s, O1s, Mn 2p, Mn 3p, Mn LMM as well as Cu 2p, Cu 3p, Cu LMM, Zn 2p and Zn LMM (depending on the sample in question) were collected. The data obtained from these analyses is discussed.