Study of supermolecular structure of fibrous kerite from Volyn

We present results of the study of Volyn fibrous kerite by the atomic force and scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis. The supermolecular structure of kerite, consisting of nano-sized fibers and globules, is described. The results of IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis show that Volyn kerite previously ranked among the higher oxidized kerite group, chemically corresponds to the lower oxidized kerite. This research is devoted to the memory of Academician N. P. Yushkin who in his last years devoted much attention to this unique natural bitumen. He considered it as one of the fundamental building blocks to create his theory of hydrocarbons crystals as protoorganisms and biological systems predecessors.