Synthesis of magnetite, ceria and magnetite-ceria materials by calcination of nanostructured precursor-minerals

International audienceThe present short communication reports an original experimental calcination method to synthesize magnetic materials with high thermal stability such as magnetite (Fe3O4) with typical spinel and atypical crystal shape, sub-micrometric rounded crystals of ceria (CeO2) and magnetite-ceria composites with varied shape and size of crystals. Shape and size depending on the nature of mineral precursors (goethite, siderite or ferrihydrite). Herein, it was demonstrated that cooperative redox reactions and simple vacuum can be used to synthesize magnetic composite materials by calcination of nanostructured mineral precursors. In this way, bastnäsite mineral (CeCO3F) is a powerful reducing agent to synthesize magnetite from reductive dehydration of ferric oxyhydroxides