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Spectral and other physicochemical properties of submicron powders of hematite (alpha-Fe2O3), maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), goethite (alpha-FeOOH), and lepidocrocite (gamma-FeOOH)

The spectral properties (0.35-2.20 microns) of submicron powders of hematite, maghemite, magnetite, goethite, and lepidocrocite are determined. Other physicochemical data are obtained for the powders in order to determine if deviations from stoichiometry occur due to their small particle size, to determine their state of chemical and phase purity, and to determine the physical characteristics of the individual powders. The physicochemical data obtained include mean particle diameter, discrete particle shape, chemical composition, crystallographic phase, magnetic parameters, and Moessbauer parameters. The positions of the spectral features for the hematite, maghemite, and magnetite powders are independent of temperature over the interval between about +20 and -110 C. For the goethite and lepidocrocite powders, a small shift of about 0.02 micron to shorter wavelengths is observed for some of the features after cooling to about -110 C. The spectral properties of the iron oxides and oxyhydroxides are important not only for understanding the basic physics and chemistry of the compounds but also for applications such as the remote sensing of the earth and Mars.

Morris, R. V.↗

Thermal Characterization of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Formed from Poorly Crystalline Siderite

Increasing interest in environmental geochemistry has led to the recognition that crystals with sizes in the nanometer range (e.g., colloids and nanoscale precipitates) and poorly crystalline compounds (e.g., ferrihydrites) may comprise the majority of reactive mineral surface area near the Earth s surface. When the diameters of individual particles are in the range of 100 nm or less, the surface energy contribution to the free energy modifies phase stability. This results in stabilization of polymorphs not normally encountered in the macrocrystal domain. These phases potentially have very different surface-site geometries, adsorptive properties, and growth mechanisms, and exhibit size-dependent kinetic behavior. Thus nanophases dramatically modify the physical and chemical properties of soils and sediments. In a more general sense, the characteristics of nanocrystals are of intense technological interest because small particle size confers novel chemical, optical, and electronic properties. Thus, nanocrystalline materials are finding applications as catalytic substrates, gas phase separation materials, and even more importantly in the field of medicine. This is an opportune time for mineral physicists working on nanocrystalline materials to develop collaborative efforts with materials scientists, chemists, and others working on nanophase materials of technological interest (e.g., for magnetic memories). Our objective in this study was to synthesize submicron (<200 nm) magnetite and to study their thermal and particle size properties.

Lauer, H. V., Jr.↗

Microwave-Assisted Gasification of Biochar: Effect of Operational Parameters and Biochar Composition on Syngas Production

The utilization of microwave-assisted gasification for biomass/plastic is a promising route toward clean energy production, contributing to a reduction in carbon footprint. This method facilitates the conversion of biomass into syngas with enhanced hydrogen (H2) yield, surpassing conventional heating approaches. However, the gasification of biochar, a byproduct resulting from the initial rapid pyrolysis of biomass, appears as a rate-determining step in biomass gasification. To ensure high conversion efficiency, particularly in pilot or larger scales, the maintenance of high biochar reactivity is essential, which can be achieved by introducing catalysts to minimize biochar formation. Furthermore, given the susceptibility of biochar to microwave heating, gaining a comprehensive understanding of its behavior in the presence of microwave-active catalysts under microwave conditions is crucial to obtain valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms, thereby improving overall biomass gasification efficiency. In the previous study, magnetite (Fe3O4) was selected for microwave-assisted gasification for biomass/plastic due to its dual role as a catalyst and microwave absorber and demonstrated considerably enhanced hydrogen production. Herein, Fe3O4 is rationally modified with metal promoters and their synergistic effect toward biochar gasification performance is investigated. The data shows that metal promoted Fe3O4 shows a higher syngas yield than that of pristine Fe3O4 in biochar.

Mai, Duy Hien↗

Thermomagnetic analysis of meteorites, 2: C2 chondrites

Samples of all eighteen of the known C2 chondrites were analyzed thermomagnetically. For eleven of these, initial Fe3O4 content is low(generally 1%) and the J sub s-T curves are irreversible. The heating curves show variable and erratic behavior, whereas the cooling curves appear to be that of Fe3O4. The saturation moment after cooling is greater (up to 10 times larger) than it is initially. This behavior is interpreted to be the result of the production of magnetite from a thermally unstable phase--apparently FeS. Four of the remaining 7 C2 chondrites contain Fe3O4 as the only significant magnetic phase: initial magnetite contents range from 4 to 13 percent. The remaining three C2 chondrites contain iron or nickel-iron in addition to Fe3O4. These seven C2 chondrites show little evidence of the breakdown of a thermally unstable phase.

Watson, D. E.↗

Thermomagnetic analysis of meteorites, 2.C2 chondrites

Samples of all eighteen known C2 chondrites have been analyzed thermomagnetically. For eleven of these, initial Fe3O4 content is low (generally less than 1%) and the saturation magnetization-vs.-temperature curves are irreversible. The heating curves show variable and erratic behavior, whereas the cooling curves are similar to that of Fe3O4. The saturation moment after cooling is greater (up to 10 times) than it is initially. This behavior is attributed to the production of magnetite from a thermally unstable phase - apparently FeS. Four of the remaining seven C2 chondrites contain Fe3O4 as the only significant magnetic phase; initial magnetite contents range from 4 to 13%. The remaining three C2 chondrites contain iron or nickel-iron in addition to Fe3O4. These seven C2 chondrites show little evidence of the breakdown of a thermally unstable phase.

Watson, D. E.↗

Sorption of noble gases by solids, with reference to meteorites. I - Magnetite and carbon

The trapping of meteoritic noble gases by solids is simulated through the synthesis of 18 Fe3O4 samples at 350-720 K in a noble gas atmosphere, by means of the reactions: (1) 3Fe + 4H2O yields Fe3O4 + 4H2, using Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe; and (2) 3Fe + 4CO yields Fe3O4 + 4C + carbides, using Xe. Etching experiments suggest an analogy with 'Phase Q' in meteorites. Adsorbed atmospheric gases are present in all samples, and dominate whenever the noble gas partial pressure in the atmosphere is greater than that in the synthesis. While many of the results of Lancet and Anders (1973) appear to have been dominated by such an atmospheric component, others are suspect. When the doubtful samples of Lancet and Anders are corrected or eliminated, the fractionation pattern no longer peaks at Ar, but rather, as in the present sample, rises monotonically from Ne to Xe. No evidence is found for the earlier study's claim of a strong temperature dependence.

Yang, J.↗

New insights into the origin of magnetite crystals in ALH84001 carbonate disks

Martian meteorite ALH84001 preserves evidence of interaction with aqueous fluids while on Mars in the form of microscopic carbonate disks which are believed to have precipitated approximately 3.9 Ga ago at beginning of the Noachian epoch. Intimately associated within and throughout these carbonate disks are nanocrystal magnetites (Fe3O4) with unusual chemical and physical properties, whose origins have become the source of considerable debate. One group of hypotheses argues that these Fe3O4 are the product of partial thermal decomposition of the host carbonate. Alternatively, the origins of Fe3O4 and carbonate may be unrelated; that is, from the perspective of the carbonate the magnetite is allochthonous. We have sought to resolve between these hypotheses through the detailed characterized of the compositional and structural relationships of the carbonate disks and associated magnetites with the orthopyroxene matrix in which they are embedded. We focus this discussion on the composition of ALH84001 magnetites and then compare these observations with those from experimental thermal decomposition studies of sideritic carbonates under a range of plausible geological heating scenarios.

Thomas-Keprta, K. L.↗

Origin of Magnetite Crystals in Martian Meteorite ALH84001 Carbonate Disks

Martian meteorite ALH84001 preserves evidence of interaction with aqueous fluids while on Mars in the form of microscopic carbonate disks which are believed to have precipitated approx.3.9 Ga ago at beginning of the Noachian epoch. Intimately associated within and throughout these carbonate disks are nanocrystal magnetites (Fe3O4) with unusual chemical and physical properties, whose origins have become the source of considerable debate. One group of hypotheses argues that these Fe3O4 are the product of partial thermal decomposition of the host carbonate. Alternatively, the origins of Fe3O4 and carbonate may be unrelated; that is, from the perspective of the carbonate the magnetite is allochthonous. We have sought to resolve between these hypotheses through the detailed characterized of the compositional and structural relationships of the carbonate disks and associated magnetites with the orthopyroxene matrix in which they are embedded [1]. We focus this discussion on the composition of ALH84001 magnetites and then compare these observations with those from our thermal decomposition studies of sideritic carbonates under a range of plausible geological heating scenarios.

Thomas-Keprta, K.L.↗

Tailoring the Magnetic and Hyperthermic Properties of Biphase Iron Oxide Nanocubes through Post-Annealing

Tailoring the magnetic properties of iron oxide nanosystems is essential to expanding their biomedical applications. In this study, 34 nm iron oxide nanocubes with two phases consisting of Fe3O4 and α-Fe2O3 were annealed for 2 h in the presence of O2, N2, He, and Ar to tune the respective phase volume fractions and control their magnetic properties. X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements were carried out post-treatment to evaluate changes in the treated samples compared to the as-prepared samples, showing an enhancement of the α-Fe2O3 phase in the samples annealed with O2 while the others indicated a Fe3O4 enhancement. Furthermore, the latter samples indicated enhancements in crystallinity and saturation magnetization, while coercivity enhancements were the most significant in samples annealed with O2, resulting in the highest specific absorption rates (of up to 1000 W/g) in all the applied fields of 800, 600, and 400 Oe in agar during magnetic hyperthermia measurements. The general enhancement of the specific absorption rate post-annealing underscores the importance of the annealing atmosphere in the enhancement of the magnetic and structural properties of nanostructures.

Crystallography↗

Competing Magnetic Interactions and Field-Induced Metamagnetic Transition in Highly Crystalline Phase-Tunable Iron Oxide Nanorods

The inherent existence of multi phases in iron oxide nanostructures highlights the significance of them being investigated deliberately to understand and possibly control the phases. Here, the effects of annealing at 250 °C with a variable duration on the bulk magnetic and structural properties of high aspect ratio biphase iron oxide nanorods with ferrimagnetic Fe3O4 and antiferromagnetic α-Fe2O3 are explored. Increasing annealing time under a free flow of oxygen enhanced the α-Fe2O3 volume fraction and improved the crystallinity of the Fe3O4 phase, identified in changes in the magnetization as a function of annealing time. A critical annealing time of approximately 3 h maximized the presence of both phases, as observed via an enhancement in the magnetization and an interfacial pinning effect. This is attributed to disordered spins separating the magnetically distinct phases which tend to align with the application of a magnetic field at high temperatures. The increased antiferromagnetic phase can be distinguished due to the field-induced metamagnetic transitions observed in structures annealed for more than 3 h and was especially prominent in the 9 h annealed sample. Our controlled study in determining the changes in volume fractions with annealing time will enable precise control over phase tunability in iron oxide nanorods, allowing custom-made phase volume fractions in different applications ranging from spintronics to biomedical applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Condensation time of the solar nebula from extinct I-129 in primitive meteorites

Mineral separates from five carbonaceous chondrites were dated by extinct 16 million year I-129, in an attempt to establish the condensation time of the solar nebula. Two Fe3O4 or Fe3O4-FeS samples from the Murchison and Orgueil meteorites are older than any other material dated thus far, and apparently formed within 200,000 years of each other. The great age, close isochronism, and primitive nature of the samples suggest that the event recorded was the condensation stage of the solar nebula. It provides a suitable zero point for the chronology of the early solar system. The I-129/I-127 ratio during condensation of the nebula was (1.46 plus or minus 0.04) times 0.0001. The recrystallized C4 chondrite Karoonda began to retain Xe-129 1.8 plus or minus 0.5 million years after the above event. This short cooling time implies rapid accretion (not exceeding 1 million years) and a shallow origin (not exceeding 10 km) below the surface of its parent body.-

Lewis, R. S.↗

Surface chemistry, friction and wear of Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites in contact with metals

X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy analysis were used in sliding friction experiments. These experiments were conducted with hot-pressed polycrystalline Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites, and single-crystal Mn-Zn ferrite in contact with various transition metals at room temperature in both vacuum and argon. The results indicate that Ni2O3 and Fe3O4 were present on the Ni-Zn ferrite surface in addition to the nominal bulk constituents, while MnO2 and Fe3O4 were present on the Mn-Zn ferrite surface in addition to the nominal bulk constituents. The coefficients of friction for the ferrites in contact with metals were related to the relative chemical activity of these metals. The more active the metal, the higher is the coefficient of friction. The coefficients of friction for the ferrites were correlated with the free energy of formation of the lowest metal oxide. The interfacial bond can be regarded as a chemical bond between the metal atoms and the oxygen anions in the ferrite surfaces. The adsorption of oxygen on clean metal and ferrite does strengthen the metal-ferrite contact and increase the friction. The ferrites exhibit local cracking and fracture with sliding under adhesive conditions. All the metals transferred to he surfaces of the ferrites in sliding.

Miyoshi, K.↗

Surface chemistry, friction, and wear of Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites in contact with metals

X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy analysis were used in sliding friction experiments. These experiments were conducted with hot-pressed polycrystalline Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites, and single-crystal Mn-Zn ferrite in contact with various transition metals at room temperature in both vacuum and argon. The results indicate that Ni2O3 and Fe3O4 were present on the Ni-Zn ferrite surface in addition to the nominal bulk constituents, while MnO2 and Fe3O4 were present on the Mn-Zn ferrite surface in addition to the nominal bulk constituents. The coefficients of friction for the ferrites in contact with metals were related to the relative chemical activity of these metals. The more active the metal, the higher is the coefficient of friction. The coefficients of friction for the ferrites were correlated with the free energy of formation of the lowest metal oxide. The interfacial bond can be regarded as a chemical bond between the metal atoms and the oxygen anions in the ferrite surfaces. The adsorption of oxygen on clean metal and ferrite does strengthen the metal-ferrite contact and increase the friction. The ferrites exhibit local cracking and fracture with sliding under adhesive conditions. All the metals transferred to the surfaces of the ferrites in sliding. Previously announced in STAR as N83-19901

Miyoshi, K.↗

Adsorption of CO on oxide and water ice surfaces - Implications for the Martian atmosphere

The adsorption of carbon monoxide (CO) on water ice and on the oxides Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, MgO, and TiO2 (rutile and anatase) has been investigated in a flow reactor. A mass spectrometer was employed as a detector to monitor the temporal concentrations of CO. Adsorption coefficients as large as 1 x 10 exp -4 were measured for CO on TiO2 solids in helium at 196 K. The fractional surface coverage for CO on TiO2 solids in helium was also determined to be approximately 10 percent at 196 K. The upper limits of the fractional surface coverage for the other oxides (Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, and MgO) and water ice were also measured to be less than 1 percent. The implications for the stability of CO2 in the Martian atmosphere and the 'CO hole' observed by the Phobos/ISM experiment are discussed.

Leu, M.-T.↗

Probing the Consequences of Cubic Particle Shape and Applied Field on Colloidal Crystal Engineering with DNA

In a magnetic field, cubic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles exhibit assembly behavior that is a consequence of a competition between magnetic dipole-dipole and ligand interactions. In most cases, the interactions between short hydrophobic ligands dominate and dictate assembly outcome. To better tune the face-to-face interactions, cubic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were functionalized with DNA. Their assembly behaviors were investigated both with and without an applied magnetic field. Upon application of a field, the tilted orientation of cubes, enabled by the flexible DNA ligand shell, led to an unexpected crystallographic alignment of the entire superlattice, as opposed to just the individual particles, along the field direction as revealed by small and wide-angle X-ray scattering. This observation is dependent upon DNA length and sequence and cube dimensions. Taken together, these studies show how combining physical and chemical control can expand the possibilities of crystal engineering with DNA.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of Electrochemical Oxidation on Physicochemical Properties of Fe-Containing Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Metal catalysts are necessary for fabricating carbon nanotubes, but are often considered impurities in the end products, and arduous steps are used to remove catalyst residues from the nanotube structure. However, as metals can be electrocatalytic, instead of removing them we can utilize their role in detection of analgesics. Herein, we study the physicochemical properties of Fe-containing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and the effect of simple oxidative pretreatment on them. We show that a gentle anodic pretreatment i) increased the amount of oxidized Fe nanoparticles, most likely exhibiting phases Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 and ii) effectively removed disordered carbonaceous material from SWCNT bundles surfaces. Pretreatment had only a marginal effect on sensitivity towards analgesics. However, interestingly, selectivity of Fe-SWCNTs towards paracetamol and morphine could be modified with pretreatment. Through this kind of in-depth investigation, we can, to a certain extent, correlate various material properties of SWCNTs with the observed electrochemical performance. We show this approach allows us to evaluate what factors in SWCNTs truly affect the electrochemical detection of biomolecules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A Generalized Grain-Scale Model for the Non-Plasma and Plasma-Assisted Hydrogen Direct Reduction of Iron Ore

Direct Reduction of Iron ore using hydrogen (H-DRI) is a promising pathway towards efficient steelmaking and accurate predictive models are a necessity for scale-up and optimization of this technology. However, accurate models of this process remain limited because existing models oversimplify grain-scale phenomena, such as nonlinearity inside grain, self-sufficient porosity, surface reactions, and the role of plasma species. These phenomena are important for flash steelmaking and plasma-assisted H-DRI processes. To address this need, we present a phenomenological model for simulating H-DRI at the scale of a single micron-sized grain of the iron ore. We call this the Transient Reactive Grain Model (TRGM). TRGM incorporates key physical process: gas species transport, a chemical kinetics of material conversion, nanopore structural evolution and, adsorption-desorption surface kinetics at the reactive nanopore surface. The important contribution of this work is that the model provides a dependence on different reductant species, specifically hydrogen atoms versus molecules, so that role of hydrogen plasma reduction can be clarified compared to the use of pure hydrogen gas reduction. TRGM predictions agree well with experimental data for both molecular H2 reduction of Fe2O3 and plasma hydrogen reduction of Fe3O4. Results reveal species concentration gradients with a diffuse reaction zone, and enhanced hydrogen diffusion at the grain outer surface due to evolving porosity. These findings challenge common assumptions in existing models, including sharp reaction fronts, quasi-steady diffusion and kinetics, and the neglect of surface chemistry. As a generalized grain-scale model for H-DRI processes, TRGM has practical applications in flash steelmaking and in-flight reduction using both molecular and plasma hydrogen.

08 HYDROGEN↗