Temperature evolution of Pb/Ni-iron oxides system. A combined ex/in situ approach

Heavy metals pollution poses a serious environmental and health risk, yet many of these elements remain industrially valuable. Iron oxides nanoparticles are promising for water remediation, but the structural evolution of cation-doped powders during calcination (e.g. effect of thermal excitation and phase transition) is still poorly understood. Our aim is to use in-situ extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) to probe doped iron oxides nanoparticles during controlled heating. Fe and dopant K-edge measurements in fluorescence and transmittance modes, at room and high temperature, will track coordination changes and phase transitions, revealing Fe-O, Fe-Fe and dopant-O interactions. The results will clarify how doping affects the thermal stability and transformation pathways, providing insights beyond ex-situ studies. Ultimately, this work will improve the understanding of cation-oxides interactions, enhance the models of pollutant mobility in soils and, industrial reuse.