Nanostructured transition metal oxides obtained by SPVD

The interest in the unique properties associated with materials having structures on a nanometer scale has been increasing at an exponential rate in last decade. Transition metal oxides are preferred materials for catalytic applications due to their half-filled d orbitals that make them exist in different oxidation states. Transition metal oxides show a broad structural variety due to their ability to form phases of varying metal to oxygen ratios reflecting multiple stable oxidation states of the metal ions. The Solar Physical Vapor Deposition (SPVD) presented in the paper as elaboration method is an original process to prepare nanopowders working under concentrated sunlight in 2 kW solar furnaces. The influence of the synthesis parameters on the chemical and microstructural characteristics of zinc and manganese oxides synthesized nanophases has been systematically studied using XRD, SEM and EDX.