Synthesis of MnAl2O4 nanocrystallites by Pechini and sequential homogenous precipitation methods: characterization, product comparison, photocatalytic effect, and Taguchi optimization

Nanocrystalline manganese aluminate (MnAl2O4) has been synthesized by Pechini and sequential homogenous precipitation methods and the results have been compared. The Taguchi L-4 statistical design was utilized to optimize the production of MnAl2O4 nanoparticles by Pechini method. The MnAl2O4 nanocrystallites obtained by Pechini and sequential homogenous precipitation methods had the average particle size of 26.5 and 49.5 nm, respectively. The products were characterized with X-ray diffraction, laser light scattering, thermogravimetry analysis, Fourier transform infrared, UV-visible, energy dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscope and inductively coupled plasma analyses. The photocatalytic activities of MnAl2O4 nanoparticles synthesized by two methods were investigated using aqueous solution of methylene blue under irradiation of visible light.