Synthesis of MnFe2O4 hollow microspheres via a sacrificial templates approach

Manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) hollow microspheres were synthesized through a sacrificial template approach using manganese carbonate (MnCO3) microspheres as sacrificial templates. Different from the literatures, the synthesis of MnFe2O4 hollow spheres was achieved through a one-pot hydrothermal process without subsequent calcination process. The temperature and reaction time of the hydrothermal process were set to be 180 °C and 8 h. The formation mechanism of the MnFe2O4 hollow microspheres was also investigated. Results indicate that the average diameter of the as-synthesized MnFe2O4 hollow microspheres is 1.2 μm. The shells of the hollow microspheres are composed of nanoparticles. During hydrothermal process, Mn2+ ions diffused outward and resulted in shell materials of MnFe2O4, thus MnCO3 templates were consumed and MnFe2O4 hollow microspheres were obtained.