synthesis of Manganese Molybdate

So I decided to synthesize Manganese molybdate using a simple precipitation.

Since Manganese(II)Molybdate is insoluble in water I created saturated solutions of Manganese Chloride and Sodium Molybdate, 40mls each, and mixed the two which formed a very clay like greenish yellow precipitate which soaked up the water aswell. After water washings to remove the soluble stuff and drying in an oven for a while, i collected a very pale green powder. image attached bellow.

This paper i refered to used a reflux method over a long period of time resulting in brown crystals.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ic00220a035

Firstly, how does refluxing the precipitate in its original mixture produce better results, can it increase crystal size aswell?

Secondly the paper says that alpha phase Manganese Molybdate is brown. while my stuff is very pale green.
they mention a hydrated compound Sodium Manganese Molybdate, If that has formed, what might the mechanism be?









[Edited on 22-8-2018 by Muhammad]

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

This is rather interesting. Quite an unusual compound. Do you have any idea which molybdate ion you have created? There are several. That could easily account for differences in colour. (And, no. I don't have any bright ideas of ways that you could distinguish between them all.)

Quote: Originally posted by fusso

Does MnMoO4 has practical uses or do you make it for fun? [Edited on 22/08/18 by fusso]