Synthesis of active goethite and maghemite from scrap iron sources

Abstract

Investigations have been carried out on the oxidative hydrolysis of iron(II) chloride using<b style=""> </b>Na₂CO₃ orNaOH. The products were subjected to hydrothermal agitation before being filtered and dried at 110^oC. The samples were characterised by chemical analysis, surface area by nitrogen adsorption, thermal analysis and XRD. The studies indicate that samples prepared by different procedures and at different temperatures result in the formation of mixtures of goethite (<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> -FeOOH), maghemite (<img src='/image/spc_char/gamma2.gif'>-Fe₂O₃), <img src='/image/spc_char/italics_e.gif'>-Fe₂O₃and Fe₃O₄ in varying compositions. All the samples, when heated to 400⁰C or above, are converted to <img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> -Fe₂O₃.