Triiron tetraoxide Chemical Properties

Melting point:

1538 °C(lit.)

Density 

4.8-5.1 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)

refractive index 

3.0

Flash point:

7 °C

storage temp. 

-20°C

solubility 

Aqueous Acid (Slightly)

form 

powder

color 

black

Specific Gravity

5.2

Odor

at 100.00?%. odorless

Water Solubility 

Insoluble in water and organic solvents. Soluble in concentrated mineral acids.

Crystal Structure

Inverse spinel type

crystal system

Cube

Merck 

14,4040

Space group

Fd3m

Lattice constant

a/nm	b/nm	c/nm	α/o	β/o	γ/o	V/nm3
0.83941	0.83941	0.83941	90	90	90	0.5915

Stability:

Stable. Incompatible with strong acids, chloroformates, peroxides.

CAS DataBase Reference

1317-61-9(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Iron(ii,iii) oxide(1317-61-9)

EPA Substance Registry System

Iron oxide (Fe3O4) (1317-61-9)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

Xi

Risk Statements 

36/37/38

Safety Statements 

26

RIDADR 

3

WGK Germany 

-

TSCA 

Yes

HS Code 

28211000

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:Magnetic iron oxide
• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich
• Language:English Provider:ALFA

Triiron tetraoxide Usage And Synthesis

Physical Properties

Black cubic crystal or amorphous powder; refractive index 2.42; density 5.17 g/cm3; Moh’s hardness 6.0; melts at 1,597°C; insoluble in water, soluble in acids.

Occurrence and Uses

Triiron tetroxide occurs in nature as the mineral magnetite, the magnetic oxide of iron. This mineral along with hematite is used as the starting material for producing iron, steel and other ferro-alloys.

Preparation

Triiron tetroxide is obtained from its natural mineral magnetite. In the laboratory the compound may be prepared by adding sodium hydroxide solution to an aqueous solution of 1:2 molar mixture of ferrous and ferric salt. (i.e., 1 mol FeCl2 + 2 mol FeCl3). The resulting black precipitate of the hydroxide on heating dehydrates to gives triiron tetroxide:
Fe2+(aq) + 2Fe3+(aq) + 8OH¯(aq) → Fe3(OH)8(s)
Fe3(OH)8(s) → Fe3O4(s) + 4H2O(g)
Also, the tetroxide may be produced by partial oxidation of iron or iron(II) sulfate by heating under limited amount of air. Another method of production involves heating iron metal with steam:
3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2

Reactions

Triiron tetroxide, when heated at elevated temperatures with a reducing agent such as hydrogen or carbon monoxide in the absence of air, produces metallic iron:
Fe3O4 + 4H2 → 3Fe + 4H2O
Partial reduction gives iron(II) oxide. When treated with concentrated acids, the tetroxide dissolves in acids forming mixtures of iron(II) and iron(III) salts:
Fe3O4 + 8HCl → FeCl2 + 2FeCl3 + 4H2O
Fe3O4 + 4H2SO4 → FeSO4 + Fe2(SO4)3 + 4H2O

Chemical Properties

solid

Chemical Properties

Magnetite (Fe3O4) constitutes the richest ore of iron; it is black and magnetic, one variety being called "lodestone".

Uses

Mostly it is used as a black- pigment -catalyst in the Haber process and in the water gas shift reaction. It is used as a contrast-agent in MRI scanning, whereas it is used as a pigment in magnetic applications, polishing compounds, cosmetics, medicines, polymer, rubber, filler, building, construction, appliances, and magnetic inks.

Uses

Iron(II,III) oxide (Fe₃O₄) can be used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Fenton type oxidation of rhodamine B. It can be used as an anode material for the fabrication of lithium-ion batteries. Fe₃O₄ can also be utilized in the catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the anion exchange membrane fuel cell.

Uses

Triiron tetraoxide can be used as pigment in paints, linoleum, ceramic glazes; in coloring glass; as a polishing compound; in the textile industry; in cathodes; as catalyst.

General Description

Concentration 5mg/ml includes total weight nanocrystals plus ligands.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Properties and Applications

TEST ITEMS	SPECIFICATION
APPEARANCE	BLACK POWDER
CONTENT OF Fe 3 O 4	90% min
pH VALUE	5-8
DENSITY	4.5 g/ml
SHADE	CLOSE TO STANDARD
OIL ABSORPTION	10-20%
RESIDUE ON 320 MESH	0.3% max
WATER SOLUBLE	0.3% max
VOLATITE 105 °C	1.0% max
TINTING STRENGTH	98-102 %

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