Research
Potential Application of Buttala Iron Ores for the Synthesis of Hematite Nanoparticles
Authors:
V. G. C. Samanmali,
South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Sammanthurai, LK
About V. G. C.
Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences
T. B. N. S. Madugalla ,
South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Sammanthurai, LK
About T. B. N. S.
Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences
H. A. K. L. Manjula
South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Sammanthurai, LK
About H. A. K. L.
Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences
Abstract
Hematite nanoparticles (HNPs) are widely used in present-day industries owing to their remarkable properties. In this study, the potential use of the iron ores of Buttala, Sri Lanka was investigated as a source of iron for the synthesis of HNPs. Initially, the mineralogy and the chemistry of the Buttala iron ores were analyzed using X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence analyzer (XRF) respectively. For the synthesis of HNPs, representative powdered fractions of the raw iron ores were acid digested and the recovered ferric ions were used as the iron precursor. The HNPs were synthesized by using the co-precipitation method and polyethylene glycol was used to prevent agglomeration. The yielded product was mineralogically and morphologically characterized with XRD and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The mineralogical results indicated that the raw iron ores are mainly composed of magnetite, hematite and goethite with minor spinel and ilmenite while the XRF analyses revealed that they contain high amount of Fe2O3 (77.80%) and low concentrations of AlzO3, SiO2, MgO, and TiO2. The acid-insoluble residue contains spinel, ilmenite, and quartz indicating the complete dissolution of hematite, magnetite, and goethite during the digestion. The XRD analyses coupled with SEM images of the synthesized product revealed that the product is hematite representing both spherical and irregular thin flaky morphologies. The size of these particles ranges from 90 to 130 nm and the calculated yield of synthesized HNPs is 92.57%. Therefore, the Buttala iron ores can potentially be used as a source of iron for the production of HNPs.
How to Cite:
Samanmali, V.G.C., Madugalla, T.B.N.S. and Manjula, H.A.K.L., 2021. Potential Application of Buttala Iron Ores for the Synthesis of Hematite Nanoparticles. Journal of the Geological Society of Sri Lanka, 22(2), pp.55–67. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jgssl.v22i2.68
Published on
30 Dec 2021.
Peer Reviewed
Downloads
