Compositional, Structural, Surface Characterizations of Natural Magnetite from Air Massif (Niger) in Relation to Its Catalytic Activity

Abstract

Ferrimagnetic materials such as natural magnetite are used for practical applications because of their electronic, magnetic and catalytic properties in the degradation of organic compounds. In order to determine its physicochemical properties in relation to its catalytic activity, the natural magnetite of Ofoud Mount (Niger) is characterized by X-ray florescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (DRX), specific surface area (BET) and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR). The result shows an iron content of 97.09% and a specific surface area of 69.742 m2/g. The crystal structure of magnetite is cubic with lattice parameters α = β = γ = 90˚, a (Å) = b (Å) = c (Å) = 8.3740. The results of this study suggest that the natural magnetite of Ofoud Mount can be used as iron source in various fields of science despite the presence of a few impurities that can improve its catalytic activity