Ferrite formation in the MeO – Fe2O3 (Me - Zn, Cd, Cu) systems and its impact for the zinc hydrometallurgy

Study on the solid state interactions between MeO (Me - Zn, Cd, Cu) and α-Fe2O3 is very important for metallurgy as well as for the preparation of magnetic materials and new catalysts. Zinc, copper and cadmium ferrites are obtained by the conventional ceramic technology. Chemical, DTA and TG analyses, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray phase analysis have been used in the study of intermediate and final products of solid state interactions. The kinetics of formation of MeFe2O4 is investigated by different kinetics equations and the activation energy values are obtained. The ferrite formation process in the system ZnO - α-Fe2O3 and the effectiveness of zinc extraction during the hydrometallurgical treatment of the zinc calcine and the fuming of zinc containing slags are discussed. Key words: ferrites, zinc, copper, cadmium, kinetics, zinc concentrate, Mössbauer spectroscopy, Xray phase analysis