Effect of ammonium nitrate on the conductivity of pyrolytic manganese dioxide

The conductivity of manganese dioxide obtained through pyrolysis of manganese nitrate solution was enhanced by the presence of ammonium nitrate. During the pyrolysis process ammonium nitrate generated oxidizing gases which reduced the amount of Mn(II) and Mn(III) (manganese sesquioxide) homogeneously in the pyrolytic product. Thus, the purity and the composition-uniformity of the pyrolytic product were improved. Moreover, the BET surface area of the pyrolytic products obtained from most manganese solutions also decreased by the presence of ammonium nitrate. Consequently, pyrolytic manganese dioxide having high conductivity and solid tantalum capacitor exhibiting better characteristics were obtained.