Magnetite

Magnetite
Magnetite

Magnetite and pyrite from Piedmont, Italy General Category Oxide minerals Spinel group Spinel structural group iron(II,III) oxide, Fe2+Fe3+2O4

Formula (repeating unit)

Strunz classification 04.BB.05 Crystal symmetry Unit cell Isometric 4/m 3 2/m a = 8.397 ; Z=8 Identification Color Crystal habit Crystal system Twinning Cleavage Fracture Tenacity Black, gray with brownish tint in reflected sun Octahedral, fine granular to massive Isometric Hexoctahedral On {Ill} as both twin and composition plane, the spinel law, as contact twins Indistinct, parting on {Ill}, very good Uneven Brittle

Mohs scale hardness 5.56.5 Luster Streak Diaphaneity Specific gravity Solubility References Metallic Black [1]

Opaque 5.175.18 Dissolves slowly in hydrochloric acid [2][3][4][5] Major varieties

Lodestone

Magnetic with definite north and south poles

Magnetite is a mineral, one of the two common naturally occurring iron oxides (chemical formula Fe3O4) and a member of the spinel group. Magnetite is the most magnetic of all the naturally occurring minerals on Earth.[6] Naturally magnetized pieces of magnetite, called lodestone, will attract small pieces of iron, and this was how ancient people first noticed the property of magnetism.

Magnetite Small grains of magnetite occur in almost all igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is black or brownish-black with a metallic luster, has a Mohs hardness of 56 and a black streak. The chemical IUPAC name is iron(II,III) oxide and the common chemical name is ferrous-ferric oxide.

Properties
Lodestones were used as an early form of magnetic compass. Magnetite typically carries the dominant magnetic signature in rocks, and so it has been a critical tool in paleomagnetism, a science important in understanding plate tectonics and as historic data for magnetohydrodynamics and other scientific fields. The relationships between magnetite and other iron-rich oxide minerals such as ilmenite, hematite, and ulvospinel have been much studied; the reactions between these minerals and oxygen influence how and when magnetite preserves a record of the Earth's magnetic field. Magnetite has been very important in understanding the conditions under which rocks form. Magnetite reacts with oxygen to produce hematite, and the mineral pair forms a buffer that can control oxygen fugacity. Commonly, igneous rocks contain grains of two solid solutions, one of magnetite and ulvospinel and the other of ilmenite and hematite. Compositions of the mineral pairs are used to calculate how oxidizing was the magma (i.e., the oxygen fugacity of the magma): a range of oxidizing conditions are found in magmas and the oxidation state helps to determine how the magmas might evolve by fractional crystallization. Magnetite also occurs in many sedimentary rocks, including banded iron formations. In many igneous rocks, magnetite-rich and ilmenite-rich grains occur that precipitated together in magma. Magnetite also is produced from peridotites and dunites by serpentinization. The Curie temperature of magnetite is 858 K (585C; 1,085F).

Distribution of deposits
Magnetite is sometimes found in large quantities in beach sand. Such black sands (mineral sands or iron sands) are found in various places, such as California and the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand.[7] The magnetite is carried to the beach via rivers from erosion and is concentrated via wave action and currents. Huge deposits have been found in banded iron formations. These sedimentary rocks have been used to infer changes in the oxygen content of the atmosphere of the Earth.
A fine textured sample, ~5cm across

Magnetite and other heavy minerals (dark) in a quartz beach sand (Chennai, India).

Large deposits of magnetite are also found in the Atacama region of Chile, Valentines region of Uruguay, Kiruna, Sweden, the Pilbara, Midwest and Northern Goldfields regions in Western Australia, New South Wales in the Tallawang Region, and in the Adirondack region of New York in the United States. Deposits are also found in Norway, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, South Africa, India, Mexico, and in Oregon, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado in the United States. In 2005, an exploration company, Cardero Resources, discovered a vast deposit of magnetite-bearing sand dunes in Peru. The dune field covers 250 square kilometers (100sqmi), with the highest dune at over 2,000 meters (6,560ft) above the desert floor. The sand contains 10% magnetite.[8]

Magnetite

Transformation of ferrous hydroxide into magnetite

Under anaerobic conditions, the ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2 ) can be oxidized by the protons of water to form magnetite and molecular hydrogen.[citation needed] This process is described by the Schikorr reaction: 3 Fe(OH)2 Fe3O4 + H2 + 2 H2O ferrous hydroxide magnetite + hydrogen + water The well-crystallized magnetite (Fe3O4) is thermodynamically more stable than the ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2 ).

Biological occurrences
Biomagnetism is usually related to the presence of crystals of magnetite, which occurs widely in organisms.[9] These organisms range from bacteria (e.g., Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum) to several animals, where these crystals are found in the brain.[10] These crystals are thought to be involved in magnetoreception, the ability to sense the polarity or the inclination of the Earth's magnetic field, and to be aid in navigation. Unique among animals, chitons have teeth made of magnetite on their radula.

Synthetic magnetite
Magnetite can be prepared in the laboratory as a ferrofluid in the Massart method by mixing iron(II) chloride and iron(III) chloride in the presence of sodium hydroxide.[11] Magnetite can also be prepared by the chemical co-precipitation in presence of ammonia, which consist in a mixture of a solution 0.1 M of FeCl36H2O and FeCl24H2O with mechanic agitation of about 2000 rpm. The molar ratio of FeCl3:FeCl2 can be 2:1; heating this solution at 70 C, and immediately the speed is elevated to 7500 rpm and adding quickly a solution of NH4OH (10 volume %), immediately a dark precipitate will be formed, which consists of nanoparticles of magnetite.[12] In both cases, the precipitation reaction rely on a quick transformation of acidic hydrolyzed iron ions into the spinel iron oxide structure, by hydrolysis at elevated pH values (above ca. 10).

Crystal structure of magnetite.

Considerable efforts has been devoted towards controlling the particle formation process of magnetite nanoparticles due to the challenging and complex chemistry reactions involved in the phase transformations prior to the formation of the magnetite spinel structure.[13] Magnetite particles are of interests in bioscience applications such as in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) since iron oxide magnetite nanoparticles represent a non-toxic alternative to currently employed gadoliniumbased contrast agents. However, due to lack of control over the specific transformations involved in the formation of the particles, truly superparamegntic particles have not yet been prepared from magnetite, i.e. magnetite nanoparticles that completely lose their permanent magnetic characteristic in the absence of an external magnetic field (which by definition show a coercivity of 0 A/m). The smallest values currently reported for nanosized magnetite particles is Hc = 8.5 A m1,[14] whereas the largest reported magnetization value is 87 Am2 kg1 for synthetic magnetite.[15][16]

Magnetite

Applications
Magnetic recording
Magnetic iron oxides are often used in magnetic storage, for example in the magnetic layer of hard disks, floppy disks and cassette tapes. These consist of a thin sheet of plastic material, with embedded magnetic particles. The particles can be magnetized to represent binary or analog data. Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) also uses magnetic particles suspended in an ink which can be read by special scanning hardware. Most newly-generated information, such as text, photographs, and audiovisual recordings, is now stored in magnetic media, and much of the world's legacy of information in other media has been transcribed to magnetic form, because it is cheap, compact, and computer-accessible.

Catalysis
Magnetite is the catalyst for the industrial synthesis of ammonia.[17]

As a sorbent
Magnetite powder efficiently removes arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) from water, the efficiency of which increases ~200 times when the magnetite particle size decreases from 300 to 12nm.[18] Arsenic-contaminated drinking water is a major problem around the world, which can be solved using magnetite as a sorbent.

Other
Because of its stability at high temperatures, it is used for coating industrial watertube steam boilers. The magnetite layer is formed after a chemical treatment (e.g. by using hydrazine).

Gallery of magnetite mineral specimens

Octahedral crystals of magnetite up to 1.8cm across, on cream colored Feldspar crystals. Locality: Cerro Huaaquino, Potos Department, Bolivia. Size: 8.4 x 5.2 x 3.2cm.

Unusual octahedral magnetite & chalcopyrite association, Aggeneys, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Size 7 x 6 x 4cm.

Red gem-like crystals of Chondrodite with magnetite, Tilly Foster mine, Brewster, New York USA. Size 2.8 x 2.6 x 2.1cm.

Magnetite

Unusual specular hematite pseudomorph after magnetite, from Payun Matru volcano, Reserva Provincial La Payunia, Argentina. Size: 11.8 x 5.6 x 4.4cm.

Metallic, jet black, complex cubes of magnetite, from ZCA Mine No. 4, Balmat-Edwards district, St. Lawrence County, New York USA. Field of view, about 4cm.

References
[1] Identifying Magnetite by Streak (http:/ / geology. about. com/ od/ mineral_ident/ ig/ streak/ streakmagnetite. htm) [2] Handbook of Mineralogy (http:/ / www. handbookofmineralogy. com/ pdfs/ magnetite. pdf) [3] Mindat.org Mindat.org (http:/ / www. mindat. org/ min-2538. html) [4] Webmineral data (http:/ / webmineral. com/ data/ Magnetite. shtml) [8] Ferrous Nonsnotus (http:/ / www. 321gold. com/ editorials/ moriarty/ moriarty070505. html) [9] H. A. Lowenstam "Minerals formed by organisms" Science 1981, volume 211,:1126-31. [11] Massart, R., Preparation of aqueous magnetic liquids in alkaline and acidic media, IEEE transactions on magnetics, 17, 2, 1981. 12471248 [12] Keshavarz, Sahar, Yaolin Xu, Spencer Hrdy, Clay Lemley, Tim Mewes, and Yuping Bao. "Relaxation of Polymer Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solution" (http:/ / ieeexplore. ieee. org/ stamp/ stamp. jsp?tp=& arnumber=5467585& tag=1), IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Volume: 46, Issue: 6 pp. 1541-43, June 2010, Tuscaloosa. Retrieved on 3 September 2012. [13] Jean-Pierre Jolivet, Corinne Chanac and Elisabeth Tronc, Iron oxide chemistry. From molecular clusters to extended solid networks,Chem. Commun., 2004, 5, 481-483 [14] Valter Strm, Richard T. Olsson, K. V. Rao, Real-time monitoring of the evolution of magnetism during precipitation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles for bioscience applications, J. Mater. Chem., 2010, 20, 4168-4175 [15] Mei Fang, Valter Strm, Richard T. Olsson, Lyubov Belova, K. V. Rao, Rapid mixing: A route to synthesize magnetite nanoparticles with high moment, Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 222501 (2011) [16] Mei Fang, Valter Strm, Richard T. Olsson, Lyubov Belova, K. V. Rao, Particle size and magnetic properties dependence on growth temperature for rapid mixed co-precipitated magnetite nanoparticles, Nanotechnology, 2012, 23, 14, 145601 [17] Max Appl "Ammonia, 2. Production Processes" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2011, Wiley-VCH.

Further reading
Lowenstam, Heinz A.; Weiner, Stephen (1989). On Biomineralization. USA: Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-504977-2. Chang, Shih-Bin Robin; Kirschvink, Joseph Lynn (1989). "Magnetofossils, the Magnetization of Sediments, and the Evolution of Magnetite Biomineralization" (http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~jkirschvink/pdfs/ AnnualReviews89.pdf). Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 17: 169195. Bibcode: 1989AREPS..17..169C (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1989AREPS..17..169C). doi: 10.1146/annurev.ea.17.050189.001125 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ea.17.050189.001125).

Magnetite

External links
Mineral galleries (http://www.galleries.com/minerals/oxides/magnetit/magnetit.htm) Bio-magnetics (http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/ask/a11651.html) History of Magnetite Mining in the NJ Highlands (http://abandonedmines.net/) Magnetite mining in New Zealand (http://www.nzpam.govt.nz/cms/minerals/overview/ overview?searchterm=ironsand) Accessed 25-Mar-09 Mineral Survey of Santa Cruz County - Black Sand (http://www.santacruzpl.org/history/articles/143/) Peruvian sand dunes (http://www.321gold.com/editorials/moriarty/moriarty070505.html)

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Magnetite Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=546684058 Contributors: 25, 2over0, AK7, Aagtbdfoua, Abhinav.pharmarx, Addshore, Aitias, Alexandrov, Andrewman327, Andros 1337, Ankurdave, Aramgutang, Archaeodontosaurus, Artoasis, Astynax, AxelBoldt, Axiosaurus, Badseed, Bart133, Beautygab, BenFrantzDale, Benbest, Benjamint444, Bhadani, Bobo192, Brane.Blokar, Bryan Derksen, Cabhan, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, CanisRufus, Cate, CharlesC, CharlesHBennett, Chetvorno, Chris 73, Chris.urs-o, Chzz, Crystallina, DanielCD, Danielson183, Deglr6328, Dentren, Derek farn, Dlloyd, DrJeremyBraithwate, Dylan Lake, EagerToddler39, Ebill, El Mayimbe, Elassint, Emayv, Filodendron, Finalnight, Fiveless, Flowerparty, Gcdc, Gigemag76, Gil Gamesh, H Padleckas, Hadal, Hairy Dude, HimsAhimsa, Hobartimus, IanOsgood, Icairns, Iguan0, Iliev, JIP, Janke, Jaraalbe, Jauhienij, Jfranprin, Julesd, Jumbakadabi, Karduelis, Kbh3rd, Keenan Pepper, Kevin Abreu, Kevmin, Kilo-Lima, KnowledgeOfSelf, Krankh, Larry Grossman, Leoadec, Ligulem, Lilkya bhadd, Little Professor, Llywrch, Loom91, Lotje, Lovecz, Lugia2453, MER-C, Materialscientist, Mattisse, Mean as custard, Mejor Los Indios, MeltBanana, Miaow Miaow, Michael Fourman, Mikenorton, Miner Frank, Modeha, Mrfebruary, Mrhurtin, Nakon, Ncmvocalist, Neillawrence, NewEnglandYankee, Newportm, Nick Number, Nimur, Nonenmac, Omphacite, Paul Windsor, Philip Howard, Piano non troppo, Pmsyyz, Pohlcat94, Protonk, Puppy8800, Rabid9797, Rainahotstuff, Redheylin, Rees11, Regibox, Reno Chris, Retaggio, Rhanyeia, Rhinopig11, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, Robert P. O'Shea, RockMagnetist, Rockstone2008, Rolinator, Ronhjones, Rtdrury, Sam Hocevar, SchreiberBike, Shaddack, Shinkolobwe, Siim, Slicky, Smalljim, Smokefoot, Some jerk on the Internet, Stan Shebs, Steelerdon, Subdolous, Sumone10154, SynergyBlades, THF, TRIX Rabbit, Tabletop, Tarquin, Tetracube, The Illusive Man, The Sporadic Update, The Thing That Should Not Be, The way, the truth, and the light, The wub, Thumperward, Tide rolls, TigerPaw2154, Tillman, ToNToNi, Tranletuhan, Trevyn, Trusilver, Tzontonel, UncleDouggie, V8rik, VPliousnine, Velvetron, Virpik, Vitorrio78, Voretus, Vrenator, Vsmith, Walkerma, Warfareyourmom, Wavelength, Wayne Slam, Whoop whoop pull up, Wik, Wiki Raja, Wilson44691, WookieInHeat, WriterHound, WvEngen, Xareu bs, Yurivict, Zedshort, 297 anonymous edits

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File:Magnetite.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Magnetite.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Archaeodontosaurus File:Magnetite444.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Magnetite444.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Benjamint444 Image:HeavyMineralsBeachSand.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:HeavyMineralsBeachSand.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Photograph taken by Mark A. Wilson (Department of Geology, The College of Wooster). Image:Magnetite structure.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Magnetite_structure.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Materialscientist (talk) File:Magnetite-278427.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Magnetite-278427.jpg License: unknown Contributors: File:Chalcopyrite-Magnetite-cktsr-10a.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chalcopyrite-Magnetite-cktsr-10a.jpg License: unknown Contributors: File:Chondrodite-Magnetite-37952.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chondrodite-Magnetite-37952.jpg License: unknown Contributors: 1 anonymous edits File:Hematite-Magnetite-t08-25ab.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hematite-Magnetite-t08-25ab.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Tillman File:Magnetite-usa51d.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Magnetite-usa51d.jpg License: unknown Contributors: -

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