Abstract
Fe-gluconate, Fe(C6H11O7)2⋅xH2O is a well-known material widely used for iron supplementation, in the food industry as a coloring agent, in cosmetic industry for skin and nail conditioning, and metallurgy. Despite of a wide range of applications, its physical properties were not studied extensively. In this study, Fe-gluconate with three different amounts of water viz. x = 2 (fully hydrated), 0 < x < 2 (intermediate), and x = 0 (dry) were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopic (MS) methods. The former in the temperature range of 20–425 K, and the latter at 295 K. Based on the XRD measurements, crystallographic structures were determined: monoclinic (space group I2) for the hydrated sample and triclinic (space group P1) for the dry sample. The partially hydrated sample was two-phased. Unit cell parameters for both structures show strong, very complex and non-monotonic temperature dependences. Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements gave evidence that iron in all samples exists in the form of Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions. The amount of the latter equals to ∼30% in the hydrated sample and to ∼20% in the dry one.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
