Iron oxide

You don't need to be Editor-In-Chief to add or edit content to WikiDoc. You can begin to add to or edit text on this WikiDoc page by clicking on the edit button at the top of this page. Next enter or edit the information that you would like to appear here. Once you are done editing, scroll down and click the Save page button at the bottom of the page.

Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

Overview

Altogether there are sixteen known iron oxides and oxyhydroxides.^[1]

Oxides

• FeO, iron(II) oxide, (wüstite)
• Fe₃O₄, iron(II,III) oxide, (magnetite)
• Fe₂O₃, iron(III) oxide, (α-Fe₂O₃,hematite; γ-Fe₂O₃ maghemite)

Hydroxides

• iron(II) hydroxide (Fe(OH)₂)
• iron(III) hydroxide (Fe(OH)₃), (bernalite)

Oxide-hydroxides

• goethite (α-FeOOH),
• akaganéite (β-FeOOH),
• lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH),
• feroxyhyte (δ-FeOOH),
• ferrihydrite (Fe₅HO₈·4H₂O approx.)
• high-pressure FeOOH
• schwertmannite
• green rusts

Uses

Some of these oxides are widely used in ceramic applications, particularly in glazing. Many metal oxides provide the colours in glazes after being fired at high temperatures.

Iron oxides yield pigments (see Iron oxide pigments). Natural iron oxides pigments are called ochers. Many classic paint colors, such as raw and burnt siennas and umbers, are iron-oxide pigments. These pigments have been used in art since the earliest art prehistoric art known, the cave paintings at Lascaux and nearby sites. Iron (III) oxide is typically used.

Iron pigments are also widely used in the cosmetic field. They are considered to be nontoxic, moisture resistant, and nonbleeding. Iron oxides graded safe for cosmetic use are produced synthetically in order to avoid the inclusion of ferrous or ferric oxides, and impurities normally found in naturally occurring iron oxides. Typically, the Iron(II) oxide pigment is black, while the Iron(III) oxide is red or rust-colored. (Iron compounds other than oxides can be other colors.)

Magnetite (under the name Black Oxide) is used for coating steel tools ^[2]. This protects them from corrosion and gives a pleasing appearance.

Properties

• Iron(II) oxide (FeO) or ferrous oxide is also known as wüstite in its mineral form. As a powder this black oxide can cause explosions as it readily ignites.

• Iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃) or ferric oxide is also known as hematite (alpha form) or maghemite (gamma form) in its mineral form. As an industrial chemical it is commonly called rouge. Purified, it is used as a coating in magnetic audio and computer media. In a dry or alkaline environment it can cause passivation and inhibits rust, yet it is also a major component of rust.

• Iron(II,III) oxide (Fe₃O₄) or ferrous ferric oxide is also known as magnetite or lodestone in its mineral form, a major iron ore. Magnetite forms readily when iron oxidizes underwater, and so is often found inside tanks or below the waterline of ships.

It is not difficult to extract iron from ore as compared to the similarly abundant elements aluminum and titanium.

References

1. ↑ Cornell, RM; Schwertmann, U (2003). The iron oxides: structure, properties, reactions, occurrences and uses. Wiley VCH. ISBN 3-527-30274-3. 
2. ↑ Black Oxide FAQ - EPI - Electrochemical Products, Inc

External links

• Information from Nano-Oxides, Inc. on Fe₂O₃.
• http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/demos/demosheets/12.3.html
• http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/iron_oxide/de:Eisen#Oxideeo:Fera oksidoko:산화 철

hr:Željezovi oksidi la:Ferri Oxida nl:IJzeroxidesimple:Iron oxide fi:Rautaoksidi sv:Järnoxid