Characterization of Synthesized Goethite and Natural Goethite sourced from Itakpe in North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was aimed at characterizing samples of natural and synthetic goethite (α-FeOOH) in order to establish their composition and properties. The natural goethite (NGT) sample was obtained from Itakpe area in North Central, Nigeria while the synthetic goethite (SGT) fine particles were synthesized by the air oxidation method. Techniques employed in the investigation included determination of point of zero charge (pHpzc), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Brauner-Emmet-Teller Isotherm (BET) and particle nano-sizer. Results of the study showed that pHpzc of the NGT and SGT were 7.0 and 8.0 respectively. The main surface functional group from FTIR in both samples was the OH while the XRF studies indicated a high content of iron (66.193 % in NGT and 66.4009% in SGT). The SEM analysis revealed a high porosity being associated with SGT than the natural sample. Furthermore, The surface area of SGT as obtained from BET analysis was 797.662 m²/g while the nano-sizer also revealed a near nano-size for the synthesized goethite with particle size of about 172-173 nm. In view of the results of this study, SGT could relatively be used as a more effective adsorbent. It is also believed that both samples will find applications in lots of other analytical processes.

Keywords: Adsorption, BET, Natural goethite, Particle nano-sizer, Synthetic goethite