Investigation into the Function of Zero-Valent Iron (ZVI) in the Process of Fayalite Formation

Fayalite is widely used in various fields based on its structural characteristics and only exists in weak reducing environments. Excess ZVI (zero-valent iron) is used to regulate oxygen fugacity when synthesizing fayalite. This paper investigates the function of ZVI during the formation of fayalite. The results indicate that ZVI plays two main roles: it is used as an oxygen scavenger to keep the atmosphere in a weakly reduced state and it is used as a reducing agent to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+, which produces an Fe1−αO intermediate. The formation of Fe1−αO is a critical step in Si-O-Fe formation. The XPS and XRD results not only provide proof of this process but also indicate that fayalite formation is actually an exchange process between Fe(II) and Si(IV). These data provide theoretical support for basic research on copper slag and other research related to fayalite.