Magnetite

[encipher]

Hi,

 

I'm having trouble making magnetite from FeCl2/FeCl3 and Sodium Hydroxide.

 

I have a bottle of PCB etchant (FeCl3), put some in a beaker, added steel wool to reduce it to FeCl2. Then filtered, added FeCl3 and began adding NaOH.

 

The problem is this:

 

Iron Hydroxide is forming? I don't know how to stop that, I'm getting little Fe3O4 and lots of Iron Hydroxide. I thought it was the Etchant (impure) so I dissolved iron filings in HCl to get FeCl2. I added FeCl3.. and did the same procedure.. with the same result =(

 

I'm not sure what to do? Any ideas on better ways of synthesizing Fe3O4 or where in can buy it (other than online of course , because i need it rather quickly)

 

Thanks

[aj47]

Pottery Suppliers should sell it under the name of 'Black Iron Oxide'. It's rather cheap aswell IIRC

[YT2095]

I seem to remember a version of this being done with Alcohol used I don`t remember the exact details though.

perhaps someone else will know this method?