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Thermal analysis of beaverite in comparison with plumbojarosite

Frost, Ray L. and Locke, Ashley J. and Martens, Wayde N. (2008) Thermal analysis of beaverite in comparison with plumbojarosite. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 92(3):pp. 887-892.

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Abstract

The thermal decomposition of beaverite and plumbojarosite was studied using a combination of thermogravimetric analysis coupled to a mass spectrometer. The mineral beaverite Pb(Fe,Cu)3(SO4)2(OH)6 decomposes in three stages attributed to dehydroxylation, loss of sulphate and loss of oxygen, which take place at 376 and 420, 539 and 844 degrees Celsius. In comparison three thermal decomposition steps are observed for plumbojarosite PbFe6(SO4)4(OH)12 at 376, 420 and 502 degrees Celsius attributed to dehydroxylation; loss of sulphate occurs at 599 degrees Celsius; and loss of oxygen and formation of lead occurs at 844 and 953 degrees Celsius. The temperatures of the thermal decomposition of the natural plumbojarosite were found to be less than that for the synthetic jarosite. A comparison of the thermal decomposition of plumbojarosite with argentojarosite is made. The understanding of the chemistry of the thermal decomposition of minerals such as beaverite, argentojarosite and plumbojarosite and related minerals is of vital importance in the study known as 'archeochemistry'.

Item Type:Journal Article
Status:Published
Keywords:argentojarosite, beaverite, plumbojarosite, dehydration, dehydroxylation, thermogravimetric analysis
Subjects:250000 Chemical Sciences > 250100 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural) > 250105 Structural Chemistry
250000 Chemical Sciences > 250100 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
250000 Chemical Sciences > 250100 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural) > 250103 Colloid and Surface Chemistry
ID Code:13979
Deposited By:Frost, Ray
Deposited On:04 July 2008
Alternative Locations:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10973-007-8702-7
Copyright Owner:Copyright 2008 Springer
Copyright Statement:The original publication is available at SpringerLink http://www.springerlink.com