Industry grade 99% Ferric nitrate nonahydrate CAS 7782-61-8

1. Product Overview

Ferric nitrate — iron(III) nitrate, most commonly supplied as the pale-violet nonahydrate Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O (CAS 7782-61-8) — is a versatile, highly water-soluble iron salt used across laboratory and industrial chemistry. It is an oxidizing agent that serves as the standard iron source in analytical chemistry (iron standard solutions and assays), a controlled metal etchant and surface-treatment chemical, a catalyst and precursor for iron oxide and functional materials, a mordant in textile dyeing, and an iron feedstock for pigments and ceramics. Its combination of solubility, oxidizing power and clean iron content makes it the preferred iron(III) salt wherever sulfate or chloride anions are undesirable.

One salt, four core value propositions:

Analytical Reagent & Iron Standard (Core Application):

● high-purity iron(III) source for iron assay standards, titration and laboratory analysis;

Controlled Oxidizing Etchant:

● metal surface treatment, stainless-steel etching and chemical processing without chloride residue;

Catalyst & Materials Precursor:

● oxidation catalysis and the classic precursor for iron oxide pigments, ferrites and functional ceramics;

Clean Iron Feedstock for Dyeing & Processing:

● textile mordant and iron-dosing chemical for pigment and surface-treatment systems.

2. Product Information (Quick Facts)

3. Chemistry & Structure

Ferric nitrate is the iron(III) salt of nitric acid, Fe(NO₃)₃, isolated commercially as the nonahydrate Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O (MW 404.00). It is manufactured by dissolving iron (or iron(III) oxide) in nitric acid, then crystallizing. The salt is deliquescent — it picks up moisture from air — and the nonahydrate melts at ≈ 47 °C in its own water of crystallization; heating above ≈ 125 °C drives off water and leads to thermal decomposition with evolution of nitrogen oxides, ultimately leaving iron oxide. It is freely soluble in water (and in alcohol and acetone), forming acidic solutions. The nitrate group makes it an oxidizer: it can support combustion of organic materials and reacts with strong reducing agents, so it is classified UN 1466, Class 5.1 (oxidizing solid), PG III.

Regulatory notes: Keep away from combustible materials and reducing agents; use personal protective equipment and good ventilation. As an oxidizing solid it requires compliant Class 5.1 packaging and DG documentation for transport. All grades are supplied with COA.

4. Key Features & Benefits

● High water solubility: easy solution preparation for analysis, etching and dosing.

● Clean iron(III) source: no sulfate or chloride interference in analytical and process applications.

● Controlled oxidizer: predictable oxidizing chemistry at practical temperatures.

● Versatile precursor: clean thermal conversion to iron oxide pigments and ferrites.

● Non-halide etching chemistry: chloride-free alternative for metal surface treatment.

● Consistent quality: controlled assay, iron content and low impurity metals (e.g. Cu, Zn, Cl, SO₄) with COA.

● Flexible supply: 25 kg bags/drums, palletized; samples and custom packs available.

5. Main Applications

5.1 Analytical Reagent & Iron Standard (Core Application)

● Iron standard solutions: primary iron(III) source for ICP, AAS and colorimetric calibration;

● Titrimetric analysis: iron content assays and oxidation-reduction titrations;

● Laboratory reagent: general-purpose iron(III) salt where sulfate/chloride-free conditions are needed;

● Quality-control laboratories: standardized ferric nitrate solutions for industrial QC.

5.2 Metal Etching & Surface Treatment

● Stainless steel and metal etching: controlled chemical etching without chloride residue;

● Metal surface preparation and passivation chemistry: oxidizing iron solutions;

● PCB and precision component processing: fine etchant formulations;

● Metallurgical processing aid: oxidative dissolution and iron-dosing applications.

5.3 Catalyst & Functional Materials Precursor

● Oxidation catalysis: iron(III) nitrate catalysts in organic and industrial oxidations;

● Iron oxide pigments: clean thermal decomposition route to Fe₂O₃ pigments of controlled shade;

● Ferrites and magnetic materials: precursor for ferrite synthesis and ceramic processing;

● Functional ceramics and electrodes: iron-doping and film-forming precursor (battery/catalyst materials).

5.4 Inorganic Pigments & Ceramics

● Iron pigments: pigmentary iron oxide with controlled particle chemistry;

● Ceramic and enamel coloration: iron oxide sources for body and glaze color development;

● Glass and frit processing: iron oxide contribution in specialized batches;

● Construction material colorants: synthetic iron oxide routes for concrete and building products.

5.5 Textile Mordant & Water/Wastewater Processing

● Textile dyeing mordant: iron mordant for dye fixation in wool and cotton dyeing;

● Iron-dosing chemical: iron supply in water and wastewater treatment formulations;

● Coagulation/flocculation auxiliary: iron source alongside conventional iron coagulants;

● Chemical dosing applications: soluble iron(III) for pH-adjusted process baths.

6. Packaging, Storage

Packaging (customizable):

● 25 kg PE-lined woven bags or fiber drums; 500/1,000 kg big bags;

Storage:

● Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area; keep containers tightly closed;

● Keep away from combustible materials, organic substances, reducing agents and food/feed;

● Protect from moisture and humidity; avoid prolonged contact with metal containers (corrosion).

7. Why Choose Jinan Future Chemical Co., Ltd.?

● Factory-direct supply: own production and sourcing capability, transparent pricing, no middleman markup;

● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested (assay ≥ 98%, iron content, impurity metals, appearance), COA with every shipment;

● Export experience: experienced in hazardous-goods (UN 1466 Class 5.1) documentation and compliant sea/air shipping

8. FAQ

Q1: What is ferric nitrate used for?

Ferric nitrate (iron(III) nitrate nonahydrate) is used as an analytical reagent and iron standard; as a metal etchant and surface-treatment chemical (chloride-free etching); as an oxidation catalyst and the classic precursor for iron oxide pigments, ferrites and functional ceramics; as a textile dyeing mordant; and as a soluble iron source in water/wastewater and process-chemical dosing. Its key advantage is a clean, highly water-soluble iron(III) content without sulfate or chloride anions.

Q2: Why is ferric nitrate the preferred iron(III) salt in analysis and processing?

Three properties make it stand out: (1) very high water solubility and easy solution handling; (2) a sulfate-free, chloride-free iron(III) source, which avoids interference in analytical work and chloride-corrosion issues in etching and processing; (3) a clean thermal-decomposition route to iron oxide — making it the standard precursor for pigments, ferrites and functional ceramics. It also provides controlled oxidizing chemistry where a mild, manageable oxidizer is needed.

Q3: Ferric nitrate vs. ferric chloride — which should I choose?

Ferric chloride is the classic etchant for PCB and metal processing — fast and economical, but it leaves chloride residues and can cause pitting and corrosion. Ferric nitrate etches more controllably without chloride residue, which is preferred for stainless-steel work, precision components and applications where chloride contamination is unacceptable; it is also the standard choice for analytical and pigment work. Ferric chloride is generally cheaper for high-volume PCB etching; ferric nitrate wins wherever cleanliness, control and purity matter.

Q4: How should ferric nitrate be handled safely?

It is an oxidizing solid (UN 1466, Class 5.1, PG III): keep it away from combustible materials, organic substances and reducing agents, and never mix with them. It is also an irritant (R36/37/38) — use gloves, eye protection and good ventilation, and avoid inhaling dust. Store dry and cool in closed containers (it is deliquescent), and follow the SDS for full handling, storage and transport guidance.