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Crystal Nucleation and Growth in Hydrolysing Iron(III) Chloride Solutions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2024

R. J. Atkinson ,
A. M. Posner  and
J. P. Quirk
R. J. Atkinson*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, University of Papua New Guinea, Box 4820, University P.O., Papua New Guinea
A. M. Posner
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009
J. P. Quirk*
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009
*
*Present address: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009.
†Present address: Director, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, Glen Osmond, South Australia.
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Abstract

0.5 molal iron(III) chloride solutions were hydrolysed at room temperature by base additions in the range OH/Fe mole ratio 0–2.75. After an ageing period the hydrolysed solutions were used to produce amorphous hydroxide gels from which crystalline products were grown at 65°C, at low pH or high pH. Examination of crystal composition and morphology and comparison with similarly treated nitrate solutions showed that the nucleation of hematite and goethite is inhibited in chloride containing solutions, which allow growth of small rod shaped β-FeOOH to predominate or occur exclusively in gels at pH 1–2. The addition of seed crystals of hematite and goethite allows competitive growth of all three minerals. The transformations β-FeOOH → α-Fe2O3 and β-FeOOH → α-FeOOH at pH 1–2 proceed by dissolution and reprecipitation and are promoted by adding seed crystals.

Type
Research Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , February 1977 , pp. 49 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © Clay Minerals Society 1977

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