Product Details
Products Description of Direct Triiron Tetraoxide CAS #1317-61-9
Triiron tetroxide (Fe₃O₄) is sourced from natural magnetite ore, a widely available iron oxide mineral. In laboratory synthesis, it can be prepared by reacting an aqueous solution containing a 1:2 molar ratio of ferrous and ferric salts (e.g., FeCl₂ and FeCl₃) with sodium hydroxide. The resulting black hydroxide precipitate is subsequently dehydrated by heating to yield triiron tetroxide:
Fe²⁺(aq) + 2Fe³⁺(aq) + 8OH⁻(aq) → Fe₃(OH)₈(s)
Fe₃(OH)₈(s) → Fe₃O₄(s) + 4H₂O(g)
Alternatively, it can be produced via controlled partial oxidation of iron or iron(II) sulfate under limited air supply at elevated temperatures. Another established industrial route involves the high temperature reaction of metallic iron with steam:
3Fe + 4H₂O → Fe₃O₄ + 4H₂
These versatile and scalable production methods ensure consistent product quality and reliable performance across a broad spectrum of industrial applications.
Triiron tetraoxide Chemical Properties
| 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) |
Product Application of Direct Triiron Tetraoxide CAS #1317-61-9
Triiron tetroxide (Fe₃O₄) is primarily used as a black pigment and catalyst in industrial processes such as the Haber–Bosch ammonia synthesis and the water–gas shift reaction. It also serves as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Due to its magnetic properties and excellent coloring performance, triiron tetroxide finds broad application across various sectors, including magnetic materials, polishing compounds, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, polymers, rubber products, fillers, building and construction materials, household appliances, and magnetic ink formulations.
