Cation Distribution in the Composite Materials of the CaFe2O4-α-Fe2O3 Series

Structured composite materials CaFe 2 O 4 -α-Fe 2 O 3 (α-Fe 2 O 3 content is 2–82 wt.%) are obtained with the method of solid-phase synthesis at 1000 °C. The phase composition of the samples is studied using powder X-ray diffraction. It is shown that the content of CaFe 2 O 4 and α-Fe 2 O 3 phases changes linearly, depending on the composition of the starting material. The scanning electron microscopy data indicate the formation of a two-phase system α-Fe 2 O 3 -CaFe 2 O 4 . The Mössbauer spectroscopy data at room temperature testify the formation of cationic iron vacancies in the CaFe 2 O 4 crystal structure in the absence of α-Fe 2 O 3 structural defects. Cationic vacancies can be formed during the synthesis in the atmosphere of air.