Synthesis and Characterization of Manganese Ferrite nano-particles from Low-grade Manganese ore and Ferric oxide powder via Pyrometallurgy

Abstract The present study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of manganese ferrite. Manganese ferrite has been synthesized by mixing ferric oxide powder (Fe2O3) with low grade Mn-ore and then sintering it at different temperatures (1000-1200 0C). the method is cheap, simple, and easily controls particle size. It has been established that manganese ferrite phase has been successfully achieved at all the three sintering temperatures however, a higher peak has been noted at sintering temperature of 1200 0C in XRD diffractogram. An increase in particle size with increasing sintering temperature has been reported. Thermal analysis shows a weight gain of ( ) at ( ) which further confirm the phase formation of manganese ferrite. Stretching vibrations were recorded at 1636 cm-1 while some peaks were observed below 1000 cm-1 in FTIR graph which is a common feature of ferrites. Microstructural analysis show small pores at the surface and confirm that the synthesized manganese ferrite nano-particles show best magnetic properties and possess high melting point. A highly synchronous nucleation and growth of the synthesized nanoparticles is also confirmed from TEM analysis. Overall, because of its simpleness and cheapness this method could be used for synthesis of manganese ferrite synthesis.