Micaceous iron oxide prepared from pyrite cinders by hydrothermal method

Micaceous iron oxide (MIO) with a hexagonal flaky shape was prepared by hydrothermal method. The ferric hydroxide used as precursor was obtained by an acidic leaching solution of pyrite cinders reacting with ammonia solution. The optimal experimental conditions for preparing micaceous iron oxide were investigated by orthogonal experiments. Micaceous iron oxide can be successfully prepared when optimal parameters of total iron concentration of 2.0 mol/L, pH value of 8, n(Fe²⁺)/n(Fe³⁺) of 0.1, mass of seed crystal of 1 g, reaction temperature of 260 °C and reaction time of 30 min are applied. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffractometry (SAEM) were adopted to characterize the hydrothermal products prepared under optimal conditions. The results indicate that highly crystallized α-Fe₂O₃ hexagonal flakes, about 1.0–1.5 μm in diameter and 0.1 μm in thickness, are prepared. Furthermore, the quality of micaceous iron oxide prepared can meet the required characteristics of micaceous iron oxide pigments for paints (ISO10601—2007).