Selective reduction of carbon dioxide into amorphous carbon over activated natural magnetite

Natural magnetite formed by the isomorphism substitutions of transition metals, including Fe, Ti, Co, etc., was activated by mechanical grinding followed by H₂ reduction. The temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen (H₂-TPR) and temperature-programmed surface reaction of carbon dioxide (CO₂-TPSR) were carried out to investigate the processes of oxygen loss and CO₂ reduction. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the stability of spinel phases and oxygen-deficient degree significantly increased after natural magnetite was mechanically milled and reduced in H₂ atmosphere. Meanwhile, the activity and selectivity of CO₂ reduction into carbon were enhanced. The deposited carbon on the activated natural magnetite was confirmed as amorphous. The amount of carbon after CO₂ reduction at 300°C for 90 min over the activated natural magnetite was 2.87wt% higher than that over the natural magnetite.