Heterogeneous electron transfer as a pathway in the dissolution of magnetite in oxalic acid solutions

Abstract

The dissolution of metal oxides is a process of importance in several fields such as hydrometallurgy, passivity of metals, and cleaning of boilers and metal surfaces in general. Oxalic acid is one of the most effective reagents for dissolution of magnetite under mild acid conditions. Magnetite is the oxide that confers passivity to steel surfaces. In the present communication, the more salient features of the mechanism of dissolution of magnetite by oxalic acid solutions are discussed with special focus on the role played by ferrous ions in the process. Oxalate plays an unique role among complexing carboxylic ligands in the dissolution of magnetite; it not only facilitates the electron-transfer reaction but also mediates in a relatively fast dissolution during the initial induction period (the induction period is much shorter than in the case of the dissolution of magnetite by ethylenediaminetetraacetic or nitrilotriacetic acid). This unique role has been used in the development of a very efficient scale removal formulation used in the decontamination of nuclear power plants.