Synthesis of ferrites: Thermal analysis of some transition metal tris(maleato)ferrates(III)

Thermal analysis of some transition metal ferrimaleate precursors, M₃Fe(mal)₃]₂·xH₂O (M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu) has been studied in static air atmosphere from ambient to 600°C. Various physico-chemical techniques, i.e. TG, DTG, DTA, XRD, IR, Mössbauer spectrometry, have been employed to characterize both the intermediates and final products. After dehydration the anhydrous precursors undergo decomposition to yield an iron(II) intermediate, MFe^II(mal)₂] (M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu) in the temperature range 160-275°C. A subsequent oxidative decomposition of iron(II) species leads to the formation of -Fe₂O₃ and MO in the successive stages. Finally a solid-state reaction occurs between the oxides above 400°C resulting in the formation of transition metal ferrites, MFe₂O₄. The ferrites have been obtained at much lower temperature and in less time than in the conventional ceramic method.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.