Recently a tried replicating an experiment to synthesize magnetic iron oxide beads using a hydrothermal reaction where iron(III) chloride is used as an iron source, PEG as stabilizing agent, ascorbic acid as reducing agent and urea as a precipitator supposedly.
When everything was added together, the previously yellow solution became completely colorless and I can't seem to figure out the complex that caused the color change.
I would like to ask if anyone knows the underlying phenomenon? Thanks!
The compound may be ammonium chloride. It is formed by decomposition of urea and reacting with iron salt.
I do rectify previous answer. In the magnetite synthesis reaction using PEG, ascorbic acid and urea, the colourless compound is a complex of ascorbic acid and ferrous iron. Ascorbic acid reduces ferric iron to ferrous form, PEG by stabilizing nanoparticles acts as surfactant and urea helps in magnetite precipitation.
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