Isothermal reduction behavior of Fe2O3/MnO composite materials with solid carbon

Compacts of pure and 2% MnO doped iron oxide were reduced isothermally at 800–1100 °C by solid carbon. The reduction behavior was investigated using advanced quadrupole mass spectrometer. XRD and SEM analysis were used to characterize the reduced samples. The aim of this work is to clarify the reduction behavior of Fe2O3/MnO composite materials with solid carbon. The influence of reduction conditions on the structural characteristics of the products was extensively studied to get clear comprehension of reduction process. It was found that the reduction rate increases with temperature and decreases with the presence of MnO. The experimental measurements were used to elucidate the carbothermic reduction mechanism of iron oxide doped with MnO. The reactions proceeded in a stepwise manner and Boudouard reaction is the rate controlling step. The calculated values of activation energy revealed that solid state diffusion mechanism had a significant role in the reduction process.