Product Description
Triiron tetraoxide (Fe₃O₄) is a functional iron oxide substance primarily sourced from natural magnetite minerals. It can also be artificially synthesized via multiple controllable chemical processes to meet industrial and laboratory demands.
A common synthetic approach adopts a salt co-precipitation method: mix ferrous and ferric salts at a 1:2 molar ratio in aqueous solution, then add sodium hydroxide to generate black Fe₃(OH)₈ precipitate. Target Fe₃O₄ products are obtained after thermal dehydration of the precipitate, following the reaction equations: Fe²⁺ + 2Fe³⁺ + 8OH⁻ → Fe₃(OH)₈↓ and Fe₃(OH)₈ → Fe₃O₄ + 4H₂O.
Alternative mature preparation techniques are also available. It can be produced by partial oxidation of iron or ferrous sulfate under controlled heating and restricted air conditions. Moreover, high-temperature reactions between iron metal and steam can successfully synthesize triiron tetraoxide, with the chemical formula: 3Fe + 4H₂O → Fe₃O₄ + 4H₂.
Diversified and controllable preparation processes ensure the finished triiron tetraoxide features stable quality and uniform performance, making it adaptable for a wide range of industrial applications.
Product Parameters
| Melting point | 1538 °C(lit.) |
| density | 4.8-5.1 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.) |
| refractive index | 3 |
| Fp | 7 °C |
| storage temp. | -20°C |
| solubility | Aqueous Acid (Slightly) |
| form | powder |
| color | black |
| Specific Gravity | 5.2 |
| Odor | at 100.00?%. odorless |
| Water Solubility | Insoluble in water and organic solvents. Soluble in concentrated mineral acids. |
| Crystal Structure | Inverse spinel type |
| crystal system | Cube |
| Merck | 144040 |
| Space group | Fd3m |
| Lattice constant | a/nmb/nmc/nmα/oβ/oγ/oV/nm30.839410.839410.839419090900.5915 |
| Stability: | Stable. Incompatible with strong acids, chloroformates, peroxides. |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 1317-61-9(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Iron(ii,iii) oxide(1317-61-9) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Iron oxide (Fe3O4) (1317-61-9) |
Application Scenarios
Triiron Tetraoxide serves as a functional black pigment and efficient chemical catalyst, commonly deployed in Haber synthesis and water-gas shift reactions. It also acts as a medical contrast medium for MRI scanning.
Benefiting from its inherent magnetism and superior tinting capability, this material enjoys broad industrial usability. It is extensively adopted in magnetic material production, polishing agents, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, polymers, rubber goods and industrial fillers. Additionally, it is widely used in construction materials, home appliance accessories and magnetic ink manufacturing.
