Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Mossbauer Spectra of Iron Ions in Bizen Pottery

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Mossbauer spectra of Japanese traditional Bizen pottery and its constituent clays have been measured to study the relationship between the color of pottery surface and the relevant states of iron ions ( Fe3+ and Fe2+). Hyperfine signals of Mn2+, presumably in carbonates, and a broad signal at g=2.0 similar to that of hematite ( Fe2O3) were observed for good-quality clay, while a signal at g>9 similar to that of magnetite ( Fe3O4) was observed for poor-quality clay. In pottery, the apparent g-factor of g=4.3 due to a large orthorhombic distortion E(Sx2-Sy2) and g=6 due to a large axial field DSz2 were observed in addition to the broad signal around g=2 due to oxidation of iron into Fe2O3. Subtle change of colors resulted in the change of EPR spectra. Mossbauer spectra indicatcd that almost all of the iron ions at the surface of pottery are strongly oxidized into Fe3+ when the pottery is fired in oxidizing atmosphere, while those inside the pottery and at the surface fired at reducing atmosphere are not strongly oxidized into Fe3+.