Common Study Methods for Ferrihydrite Transformation: A Review

doi:10.19657/j.geoscience.1000-8527.2024.132

Abstract

Abstract:

The transformation of ferrihydrite affects the mineral composition and element fate of near-surface iron oxides, which has important geochemical significance and has been widely concerned. With the deepening of research, research methods have been constantly innovated. This study summarizes the commonly used research methods on ferrihydrite transformation, including spectroscopy (X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, etc.), morphology (scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy), element analysis, magnetic analysis, etc. We explore the application of these common methods(qualitative and quantitative) in the process of ferrihydrite phase transformation, and propose the advantages and limitations of different research methods. Finally, the application of in-situ testing method in the future research of ferrihydrite is prospected. This study provides basic information for exploring the transformation process of iron oxide minerals in the near surface environment.

Key words: ferrihydrite, phase transformation, in-situ testing, characterization method

CLC Number:

P575

YAN Lixia, REN Zihe, ZHANG Bingchang, LIU Ting, PAN Xumei. Common Study Methods for Ferrihydrite Transformation: A Review[J]. Geoscience, 2025, 39(03): 637-647.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig. 1 FTIR spectra of the common iron oxides[29]

Fig. 2 FTIR spectra of the mixed samples[22]

Fig.3 FTIR of Hem, Mgh, and Mag[15]

Fig.4 Raman spectra of 2L-Fhy (left) and 6L-Fhy (right) under repeated scanning

Table 1 Mössbauer parameters of the common iron oxides[10]

铁氧化物	测试温度(K)	IS(mm/s)	QS(mm/s)	B_HF(T)
2线水铁矿	295.0	0.24	0.79	-
2线水铁矿	4.2	0.24	-0.01	47.0
6线水铁矿	292.0	0.24	0.72	-
6线水铁矿	4.2	0.25	-0.06	50.0
赤铁矿	295.0	0.37	-0.20	50.75
赤铁矿	4.2	0.49	0.41	54.17
针铁矿	295.0	0.37	-0.26	38.0
针铁矿	4.2	0.48	-0.25	50.60
磁铁矿	295.0	0.26	0	49.0
磁铁矿		0.6	≤\|0.02\|	46.0
纤铁矿	294.0	0.37	0.53	-
纤铁矿	4.2	0.47	0.02	45.8
施式矿物	295.0	0.39	0.64	-
施式矿物	4.2	0.49	-0.37	45.6

Fig. 5 XANES (a) and EXAFS (b)-(c) spectra of U in the transformation process of Fhy[33]

Fig.6 XANES (a), EXAFS (b), and Fourier transform spectra (c) of As before and after the phase transformation of Fhy[12]

Fig.7 Morphologies images of the common iron oxides (a)Fhy[37];(b)Gth[50];(c)Hem[12];(d-e)Lep[51];(f-g)Mag[51]

Fig.8 Nanopores of Hem (a)-(b) and the formation mechanism (c)[52]

Fig.9 Phase transformation process and the transformed product of Fhy in the presence of Zn, and the distribution of Zn in the transformation process[56]

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