Formation of synthetic analogues of double metal-hydroxy carbonate minerals under controlled pH conditions: I. The synthesis of pyroaurite and reevesite

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Abstract
Two-layered Fe(III)-M(II) hydroxy carbonates (M(II) = Ni or Mg) have been synthesized by induced hydrolysis using controlled air oxidation of an aqueous Fe(II)-M(II) mixture (M(II)/Fe(II) ratio >3) at a pH below which the hydroxide of the M(II) cation precipitates. The crystalline, homogeneous product can be a single phase consisting of very thin circular to hexagonal plates (0·2–0·8 µm diam.). For synthetic reevesite (Ni(II)-Fe(III) hydroxy carbonate), stable spherular aggregates are formed. The well crystallized products have an M(II)/Fe(III) ratio of about two. However, by varying the pH, the initial M(II)-Fe(III) ratio and the oxidation rate, the M(II)/Fe(III) ratio in the product and its crystallinity can be varied. The derived formulae are in reasonable agreement with the known composition of pyroaurite-type compounds. Possible synthesis pathways are discussed. The ability to control some physical and morphological features of the products indicates that the synthesis technique could prove advantageous in the preparation of certain catalyst precursors.