Oxidation-state analysis of manganese-oxide clusters, MnxOy+ (x = 4, y = 4–7), by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Abstract

Small manganese oxide clusters are studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) combined with mass spectrometry. XAS performed at Mn L3- and O K-edges for a series of mass-selected Mn4Oy+ (y = 4–7) shows that the oxidation state of Mn atoms changes from Mn(II) to Mn(IV) as the O atom increases. Notably, Mn4O5+ and Mn4O6+ are found to contain Mn(III) that would play a key role in water splitting catalysis.