Oxidation of Mn(II): Initial mineralogy, oxidation state and ageing

The initial solid phase oxidation products formed during the oxidation of aqueous Mn(II) at 25°C were studied as a function of time. The analyses included morphology (TEM), mineralogy (x-ray diffraction), OMn ratio (iodometric method), oxidation state of manganese (XPS), and dissolved manganese. The initial solid formed under our conditions was Mn3O4 (hausmannite) which converted completely to γMnOOH (manganite) after eight months. βMnOOH (feitknechtite) appeared to be an intermediate in this transformation. The OMn ratio was initially 1.37 and increased to 1.49 over the same time span. Throughout the course of this study the XPS analyses showed that the surface of the solids (<50 Å) was dominated by Mn(III). The solution pH and dissolved manganese concentrations were consistent with disproportionation and oxidation reactions that favor the transformation of Mn3O4 to γMnOOH but not to γMnO2.