Reduction Kinetics of Nano-Sized Nickel Ferrite for the Production of Metallic Alloys

Abstract

Nanostructured materials have attracted considerable attention in recent years because of their unique and amazing properties. With a high surface activity due to their small particle size, enormous surface area and specific mechanical properties, it has been used for various engineering purposes including chemical, mechanical and civil engineering applications. The rapid development of nanostructured materials and nanotechnology will change the traditional processes of fabrication and applications of construction materials. nanosized materials can be used in construction industry to produce lighter and stronger structural composites such as modified steel. The present work introduces a novel idea for the production of metallic alloys from nanosized nickel ferrites using powder technique routes. nanosized nickel ferrite (50 nm) is being used as starting material for the production of metallic alloy containing iron and nickel. The prepared alloys were characterized physically and chemically through X-ray diffraction and optical microscope. The composition of these alloys is often a key factor to control the mechanical, chemical and physical properties of the synthesized alloys. The reduction processes take place in a stepwise manner via the formation of a series of intermediate oxides. The microstructures of the produced alloy together with the kinetics data obtained from reduction process were used to elucidate the reduction mechanism under isothermal conditions.