The Influence of Aluminum on Iron Oxides. Part II. Preparation and Properties of Al-Substituted Hematites

Abstract Aluminum-substituted hematites (Fe 2−x Al x O 3 ) were synthesized from Fe-Al coprecipitates at pH 5.5, 7.0, and in 10 −1 , 10 −2 , and 10 −2 M KOH at 70°C. As little as 1 mole % Al suppressed goethite completely at pH 7 whereas in KOH higher Al concentrations were necessary. Al substitution as determined chemically and by XRD line shift was related to Al addition up to a maximum of 16–17 mole %. The relationship between the crystallographic a 0 parameter and Al substitution deviated from the Vegard rule. At low substitution crystallinity of the hematites was improved whereas higher substitution impeded crystal growth in the crystallographic z-direction as indicated by differential XRD line broadening. At still higher Al addition crystal growth was strongly retarded. The initial Al-Fe coprecipitate behaved differently from a mechanical mixture of the respective “hydroxides” and was, therefore, considered an aluminous ferrihydrite.