Characterization of manganese/cobalt oxide composites synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method

Abstract

Composite materials have emerged as new class of materials which presented unique and enhanced applications in the nanotechnology field. In this study, Cobalt oxide-manganese oxide composites have been prepared by chemical co-precipitation method. Cobalt oxide particles were first prepared and used as seeds for making composites with manganese oxide. These composites have been characterized by XRD, SEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy and FTIR. Characterization tools confirmed the formation of Manganese/Cobalt oxide composites. XRD results presented the diffraction peaks for cobalt oxide, manganese oxide and MnCo2O4 compounds. FTIR spectrum also indicated the formation of bonds between Mn, Co and O especially at 461 cm-1 shows MnCO2O4 bonding. These composite materials absorb visible light of wavelength 682 nm and can be used in light activated photocatalytic activity for the degradation of toxic dyes.