Carbothermal reduction method for Fe3O4 powder synthesis

This paper describes controlled synthesis of Fe3O4 powder via carbothermal reduction method using pure Fe2O3 powder and glucose mixture as starting materials. Pure Fe3O4 powders were produced when glucose mole fraction was greater than 1/24. However, below 1/24 glucose mole fraction, only mixed Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 powders were obtained. Glucose is the source of carbon and CO gas, both of react with Fe2O3 to form Fe3O4. At 1/24 glucose mole fraction the lowest carbon content in reaction products was 0.018%, which increased with the glucose mole fraction. Possible carbothermal reduction mechanisms and Fe3O4 powder magnetic properties were investigated. The carbothermal reduction method for Fe3O4 synthesis has merits; it is not dangerous, controllable, and is suitable for large batch production, leading to novel applications of Fe3O4 powders. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.