On the Tannic Acid Interaction with Metallic Iron

The reaction between tannic acid and metallic iron was studied using infrared and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Iron converts to sparingly soluble and amorphous ferric tannate complexes. The degree of conversion was followed from 1 day to 6 months. In the very early stages of reaction the product consists of a mono-type complex, while in the later stages a mixture of mono- and bis-type complexes were formed. The conversion reaction of metallic iron to tannate complexes follows a first-order reaction kinetics.