Preparation and characterization of synthesized goethite and goethite-date palm seeds charcoal composite

Abstract

In this study, goethite (FeOOH) which is an iron oxy-hydroxide was synthesized within a short time with iron (II) chloride and sodium hydrogen carbonate precursors through air oxidation method. Date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seeds charcoal was also prepared and used as composite with the goethite. Physico-chemical properties such as the pH, moisture content, percentage yield, bulk density and pH_pzc were investigated.  Instrumental characterization such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) for the surface functional groups, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the shapes and morphology of both samples, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) to obtain the elemental composition, BET surface area determination and particle nano-sizer to determine the size of the particles were carried out. The results obtained showed that pH_pzc values were 8 and 7  for goethite and composite respectively. The main surface functional group from FTIR and major element obtained from XRF in both samples is the OH group and iron (Fe) respectively. The SEM results for goethite and the composite particles showed high porosity in their structure which enables them to bind easily with othermaterials. BET revealed that the surface area of the goethite and the composite is 797.662 and 329.866 m²/g respectively. The nano-sizer also revealed a near nano-size for the synthesized goethite with particle size of about 172-173 nm. Based on the results obtained, the synthesized goethite and the prepared composite will find applications in various analytical and chemical procedures.

Keywords: Iron oxy-hydroxide, Goethite, Date-palm seeds, Particle nano-sizer, BET