Preparation of Hematite Powders with Plate‐Like Morphology from Titania Wastes by Solvent Extraction Followed by Precipitation Stripping and Hydrothermal Synthesis

Abstract

This paper embodies the results of the investigations carried out on the solvent extraction of iron(III), magnesium(II), aluminum(III), titanium(IV), vanadium(V), chromium(III), and manganese(II) from hydrochloric acid solutions using tributylphosphate (TBP) in kerosene as an extractant. The results demonstrate that iron(III) is extracted into kerosene as HFeCl₄ · 2TBP. On the other hand, magnesium(II), aluminum(III), titanium(IV), vanadium(V), chromium(III) and manganese(II) were not extracted with TBP from 2.0 mol/dm³ hydrochloric acid solutions. The potential of the TBP system for the recovery of high purity ferric chloride from the simulated waste chloride liquors of the titanium minerals processing industry was assessed. Studies were also carried out to prepare hematite powders from titania wastes by solvent extraction combined with precipitation stripping and hydrothermal synthesis. The iron oxide powders were characterized by x‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis. The recycling capacity of the TBP system was tested by both extraction and infrared (IR) spectral data.

Keywords:

• Hematite powders
• Solvent extraction separation
• Precipitation stripping
• Hydrothermal synthesis
• Titania wastes

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Director, RRL, Trivandrum, for his constant encouragement and Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, for financial support.