Thermal decomposition of pyrite

Thermal decomposition of natural pyrite (cubic, FeS₂) has been investigated using X-ray diffraction and⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis of pyrite ore from different sources showed the presence of associated minerals, such as quartz, szomolnokite, stilbite or stellerite, micas and hematite. Hematite, maghemite and pyrrhotite were detected as thermal decomposition products of natural pyrite. The phase composition of the thermal decomposition products depends on the temperature, time of heating and starting size of pyrite crystals. Hematite is the end product of the thermal decomposition of natural pyrite.