Thermal decomposition of natural and synthetic plumbojarosites: Importance in ‘archeochemistry’

Plumbojarosite and argentoplumbojarosite were sources of lead and silver in ancient and medieval times. The understanding of the chemistry of the thermal decomposition of these minerals is of vital importance in ‘archeochemistry’. The thermal decomposition of plumbojarosite was studied using a combination of thermogravimetric analysis coupled to a mass spectrometer. Three mass loss steps are observed at 376, 420 and 502 °C. These are attributed to dehydroxylation, loss of sulphate occurs at 599 °C, and loss of oxygen and formation of lead occurs at 844 and 953 °C. The temperatures of the thermal decomposition of the natural jarosite were found to be less than that for the synthetic jarosite. This is attributed to a depression of freezing point effect induced by impurities in the natural jarosite. Raman spectroscopy was used to study the structure of plumbojarosite. Plumbojarosites are characterised by stretching bands at 1176, 1108, 1019 and 1003 cm⁻¹ and bending modes at 623 and 582 cm⁻¹. Changes in the molecular structure during thermal decomposition were followed by infrared emission spectroscopy. The technique shows the loss of intensity in the hydroxyl stretching region attributed to dehydroxylation. Loss of sulphate only occurs after dehydroxylation. Lead is formed at higher temperatures through oxygen evolution.     

Thermal decomposition of natural iowaite

The thermal decomposition of natural iowaite of formula Mg₆Fe₂(Cl,(CO₃)_0.5)(OH)₁₆·4H₂O was studied by using a combination of thermogravimetry and evolved gas mass spectrometry. Thermal decomposition occurs over a number of mass loss steps at 60°C attributed to dehydration, 266 and 308°C assigned to dehydroxylation of ferric ions, at 551°C attributed to decarbonation and dehydroxylation, and 644, 703 and 761°C attributed to further dehydroxylation. The mass spectrum of carbon dioxide exhibits a maximum at 523°C. The use of TG coupled to MS shows the complexity of the thermal decomposition of iowaite. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal decomposition of hydronium jarosite (H3O)Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6

Thermogravimetry combined with mass spectrometry has been used to study the thermal decomposition of a synthetic hydronium jarosite. Five mass loss steps are observed at 262, 294, 385, 557 and 619°C. The mass loss step at 557°C is sharp and marks a sharp loss of sulphate as SO₃ from the hydronium jarosite. Mass spectrometry through evolved gases confirms the first three mass loss steps to dehydroxylation, the fourth to a mass loss of the hydrated proton and a sulphate and the final step to the loss of the remaining sulphate. Changes in the molecular structure of the hydronium jarosite were followed by infrared emission spectroscopy. This technique allows the infrared spectrum at the elevated temperatures to be obtained. Infrared emission spectroscopy confirms the dehydroxylation has taken place by 400 and the sulphate loss by 650°C. Jarosites are a group of minerals formed in evaporite deposits and form a component of the efflorescence. The minerals can function as cation and heavy metal collectors. Hydronium jarosite has the potential to act as a cation collector by the replacement of the proton with a heavy metal cation.     

A thermogravimetric and infrared emission spectroscopic study of alunite

Thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis has been used to characterize alunite of formula [K₂(Al³⁺)₆(SO₄)₄(OH)₁₂]. Thermal decomposition occurs in a series of steps (a) dehydration up to 225°C, (b) well defined dehydroxylation at 520°C and desulphation which takes place as a series of steps at 649, 685 and 744°C.The alunite minerals were further characterized by infrared emission spectroscopy (IES). Well defined hydroxyl stretching bands at around 3463 and 3449 cm^?1 are observed. At 550°C all intensity in these bands is lost in harmony with the thermal analysis results. OH stretching bands give calculated hydrogen bond distances of 2.90 and 2.84–7 Å. These hydrogen bond distances increase with increasing temperature. Characteristic (SO₄)^2? stretching modes are observed at 1029.5, 1086 and 1170 cm^?1. These bands shift to lower wavenumbers on thermal treatment. The intensity in these bands is lost by 550°C.     

Thermal decomposition of the hydrotalcite

Summary A combination of thermogravimetry and hot stage Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the thermal decomposition of the synthesised zinc substituted takovite Zn₆Al₂CO₃(OH)₁₆·4H₂O. Thermogravimetry reveals seven mass loss steps at 52, 135, 174, 237, 265, 590 and ~780°C. MS shows that the first two mass loss steps are due to dehydration, the next two to dehydroxylation and the mass loss step at 265°C to combined dehydroxylation and decarbonation. The two higher mass loss steps are attributed to decarbonation. Raman spectra of the hydroxyl stretching region over the 25 to 200°C temperature range, enable identification of bands attributed to water stretching vibrations, MOH stretching modes and strongly hydrogen bonded CO₃^2--water bands. CO₃^2- symmetric stretching modes are observed at 1077 and 1060 cm^-1. One possible model is that the band at 1077 cm^-1is ascribed to the CO₃^2- units bonded to one OH unit and the band at 1092 cm^-1is due to the CO₃^2- units bonded to two OH units from the Zn-takovite surface. Thermogravimetric analysis when combined with hot stage Raman spectroscopy forms a very powerful technique for the study of the thermal decomposition of minerals such as hydrotalcites.</o:p>     

Thermal stability of crandallite CaAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>5</Subscript>·(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)

Thermogravimetry combined with evolved gas mass spectrometry has been used to characterise the mineral crandallite CaAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₅·(H₂O) and to ascertain the thermal stability of this ‘cave’ mineral. X-ray diffraction proves the presence of the mineral and identifies the products of the thermal decomposition. The mineral crandallite is formed through the reaction of calcite with bat guano. Thermal analysis shows that the mineral starts to decompose through dehydration at low temperatures at around 139 °C and the dehydroxylation occurs over the temperature range 200–700 °C with loss of the OH units. The critical temperature for OH loss is around 416 °C and above this temperature the mineral structure is altered. Some minor loss of carbonate impurity occurs at 788 °C. This study shows the mineral is unstable above 139 °C. This temperature is well above the temperature in the caves of 15 °C maximum. A chemical reaction for the synthesis of crandallite is offered and the mechanism for the thermal decomposition is given.     

Thermal decomposition of jarosites of potassium,sodium and lead

Summary Jarosites are a group of minerals formed in evaporite deposits and form a component of efflorescence. As such the minerals can function as cation and heavy metal collectors. Thermogravimetry coupled to mass spectrometry has been used to study three Australian jarosites which are predominantly K, Na and Pb jarosites. Mass loss steps of K-jarosite occur over the 130 to 330 and 500 to 622°C temperature range and are attributed to dehydroxylation and desulphation. In contrast the behaviour of the thermal decomposition of Na-jarosite shows three mass loss steps at 215 to 230, 316 to 352 and 555 to 595°C. The first mass loss step for Na-jarosite is attributed to deprotonation. For Pb-jarosite two mass loss steps associated with dehydroxylation are observed at 390 and 418°C and a third mass loss step at 531°C is attributed to the loss of SO₃. Thermal analysis is an excellent technique for the study of jarosites. The analysis depends heavily on the actual composition of the jarosite.     

Thermal decomposition of hydrotalcites with variable cationic ratios

Thermal analysis complimented with evolved gas mass spectrometry has been applied to hydrotalcites containing carbonate prepared by coprecipitation and with varying divalent/trivalent cation ratios. The resulting materials were characterised by XRD, and TG/DTG to determine the stability of the hydrotalcites synthesised. Hydrotalcites of formula Mg₄(Fe,Al)₂(OH)₁₂(CO₃)·4H₂O, Mg₆(Fe,Al)₂(OH)₁₆(CO₃)·5H₂O, and Mg₈(Fe,Al)₂(OH)₂₀(CO₃)·8H₂O were formed by intercalation with the carbonate anion as a function of the divalent/trivalent cationic ratio. XRD showed slight variations in the d-spacing between the hydrotalcites. The thermal decomposition of carbonate hydrotalcites consists of two decomposition steps between 300 and 400°C, attributed to the simultaneous dehydroxylation and decarbonation of the hydrotalcite lattice. Water loss ascribed to dehydroxylation occurs in two decomposition steps, where the first step is due to the partial dehydroxylation of the lattice, while the second step is due to the loss of water interacting with the interlayer anions. Dehydroxylation results in the collapse of the hydrotalcite structure to that of its corresponding metal oxides and spinels, including MgO, MgAl₂O₄, and MgFeAlO₄.     

Dynamic and controlled rate thermal analysis of hydrozincite and smithsonite

The understanding of the thermal stability of zinc carbonates and the relative stability of hydrous carbonates including hydrozincite and hydromagnesite is extremely important to the sequestration process for the removal of atmospheric CO₂. The hydration-carbonation or hydration-and-carbonation reaction path in the ZnO-CO₂-H₂O system at ambient temperature and atmospheric CO₂ is of environmental significance from the standpoint of carbon balance and the removal of green house gases from the atmosphere. The dynamic thermal analysis of hydrozincite shows a 22.1% mass loss at 247°C. The controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA) pattern of hydrozincite shows dehydration at 38°C, some dehydroxylation at 170°C and dehydroxylation and decarbonation in a long isothermal step at 190°C. The CRTA pattern of smithsonite shows a long isothermal decomposition with loss of CO₂ at 226°C. CRTA technology offers better resolution and a more detailed interpretation of the decomposition processes of zinc carbonate minerals via approaching equilibrium conditions of decomposition through the elimination of the slow transfer of heat to the sample as a controlling parameter on the process of decomposition. The CRTA technology offers a mechanism for the study of the thermal decomposition and relative stability of minerals such as hydrozincite and smithsonite.     

Thermal decomposition of the layered double hydroxides of formula Cu6Al2(OH)16CO3 and Zn6Al2(OH)16CO3

Zn-Al hydrotalcites and Cu-Al hydrotalcites were synthesised by coprecipitation method and analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis coupled with mass spectroscopy. These methods provide a measure of the thermal stability of the hydrotalcite. The XRD patterns demonstrate similar patterns to that of the reference patterns but present impurities attributed to Zn(OH)₂ and Cu(OH)₂. The analysis shows that the d003 peak for the Zn-Al hydrotalcite gives a spacing in the interlayer of 7.59 ? and the estimation of the particle size by using the Debye-Scherrer equation and the width of the d003 peak is 590 ?. In the case of the Cu-Al hydrotalcite, the d003 spacing is 7.57 ? and the size of the diffracting particles was determined to be 225 ?. The thermal decomposition steps can be broken down into 4 sections for both of these hydrotalcites. The first step decomposition below 100°C is caused by the dehydration of some water absorbed. The second stage shows two major steps attributed to the dehydroxylation of the hydrotalcite. In the next stage, the gas CO₂ is liberated over a temperature range of 150°C. The last reactions occur over 400°C and involved CO₂ evolution in the decomposition of the compounds produced during the dehydroxylation of the hydrotalcite.     

Controlled rate thermal analysis of hydromagnesite

The reaction of magnesium minerals such as brucite with CO₂ is important in the sequestration of CO₂. The study of the thermal stability of hydromagnesite and diagenetically related compounds is of fundamental importance to this sequestration. The understanding of the thermal stability of magnesium carbonates and the relative metastability of hydrous carbonates including hydromagnesite, artinite, nesquehonite, barringtonite and lansfordite is extremely important to the sequestration process for the removal of atmospheric CO₂. This work makes a comparison of the dynamic and controlled rate thermal analysis of hydromagnesite and nesquehonite. The dynamic thermal analysis of synthetic hydromagnesite proves that dehydration takes place in two steps at 135 and 184°C, dehydroxylation at 412°C and decarbonation at 474°C. Controlled rate thermal analysis shows the first dehydration step is isothermal and the second quasi-isothermal at 108 and 145°C, respectively. In the CRTA experiment both water and carbon dioxide are evolved in an isothermal decomposition at 376°C. CRTA technology offers better resolution and a more detailed interpretation of the decomposition processes of magnesium carbonates such as nesquehonite via approaching equilibrium conditions of decomposition through the elimination of the slow transfer of heat to the sample as a controlling parameter on the process of decomposition. Constant-rate decomposition processes of non-isothermal nature reveal partial nesquehonite structure.     

The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition hydrated iron sulphate

The thermal decomposition of iron sulphate hexahydrate was studied by thermogravimetry at a heating rate of 5°C min^?1 in static air. The kinetic parameters were evaluated using the integral method by applying the Coats and Redfern approximation. The thermal stabilities of the hydrates were found to vary in the order. Fe₂(SO₄)₃·6H₂O → Fe₂(SO₄)₃·4.5H₂O → Fe₂(SO₄)₃·0.5H₂O The dehydration process of hydrated iron sulphate was found to conform to random nucleation mass loss kinetics, and the activation energies of the respective hydrates were 89.82, 105.04 and 172.62 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The decomposition process of anhydrous iron sulphate occurs in the temperature region between 810 and 960 K with activation energies 526.52 kJ mol^?1 for the D3 model or 256.05 kJ mol^?1 for the R3 model.     

Effect of the Atmospheric Conditions on the Thermal Behaviour of the Sarkinite Mineral,Mn2(OH)AsO4

The sarkinite, Mn₂(OH)AsO₄, mineral has been synthesized in laboratory as pure phase under mild hydrothermal conditions. The decomposition process of the hydroxiarsenate compound is strongly dependent on the atmospheric conditions. The results of the thermal treatment in air or argon are quite different. In this way, a new black phase appears in air atmosphere in the 400‐630 °C temperature range whereas under inert atmosphere the structure of Mn₂(OH)AsO₄ at room temperature is maintained up to 560 °C. The weight loss is attributed to the partial decomposition of Mn₂(OH)AsO₄ above 400 °C with removal of OH groups and the oxidation of Mn^II to Mn^III that occur simultaneously. Above 650 °C, the structures of the intermediate compounds are broken and the evolution of the inorganic residues gives rise to the formation of arsenates and oxides of Mn^II and Mn^III in inert and air atmospheres.     

Thermal analysis and Hot-stage Raman spectroscopy of the basic copper arsenate mineral

The thermal analysis of euchroite shows two mass loss steps in the temperature range 100–105 °C and 185–205 °C. These mass loss steps are attributed to dehydration and dehydroxylation of the mineral. Hot-stage Raman spectroscopy (HSRS) has been used to study the thermal stability of the mineral euchroite, a mineral involved in a complex set of equilibria between the copper hydroxy arsenates: euchroite Cu₂(AsO₄)(OH)·3H₂O → olivenite Cu₂(AsO₄)(OH) → strashimirite Cu₈(AsO₄)₄(OH)₄·5H₂O → arhbarite Cu₂Mg(AsO₄)(OH)₃. HSRS inolves the collection of Raman spectra as a function of the temperature. HSRS shows that the mineral euchroite decomposes between 125 and 175 °C with the loss of water. At 125 °C, Raman bands are observed at 858 cm^?1 assigned to the ν₁ AsO₄ ^3? symmetric stretching vibration and 801, 822, and 871 cm^?1 assigned to the ν₃ AsO₄ ^3? (A₁) antisymmetric stretching vibrations. A distinct band shift is observed upon heating to 275 °C. At 275 °C, the four Raman bands are resolved at 762, 810, 837, and 862 cm^?1. Further heating results in the diminution of the intensity in the Raman spectra, and this is attributed to sublimation of the arsenate mineral. HSRS is the most useful technique for studying the thermal stability of minerals, especially when only very small amounts of mineral are available.     

Thermal decomposition of hydrotalcite with hexacyanoferrate(II) and hexacyanoferrate(III) anions in the interlayer

The mechanism for the decomposition of hydrotalcite remains unsolved. Controlled rate thermal analysis enables this decomposition pathway to be explored. The thermal decomposition of hydrotalcites with hexacyanoferrate(II) and hexacyanoferrate(III) in the interlayer has been studied using controlled rate thermal analysis technology. X-ray diffraction shows the hydrotalcites have a d(003) spacing of 10.9 and 11.1 Å which compares with a d-spacing of 7.9 and 7.98 Å for the hydrotalcite with carbonate or sulphate in the interlayer. Calculations show dehydration with a total loss of 7 moles of water proving the formula of hexacyanoferrate(II) intercalated hydrotalcite is Mg₆Al₂(OH)₁₆[Fe(CN)₆]_0.5·7H₂O and 9.0 moles for the hexacyanoferrate(III) intercalated hydrotalcite with the formula of Mg₆Al₂(OH)₁₆[Fe(CN)₆]_0.66·9H₂O. CRTA technology indicates the partial collapse of the dehydrated mineral. Dehydroxylation combined with CN unit loss occurs in two isothermal stages at 377 and 390°C for the hexacyanoferrate(III) and in a single isothermal process at 374°C for the hexacyanoferrate(III) hydrotalcite.     

Thermal stability of the ‘cave’ mineral ardealite Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>(HPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Thermogravimetry combined with evolved gas mass spectrometry has been used to characterise the mineral ardealite and to ascertain the thermal stability of this ‘cave’ mineral. The mineral ardealite Ca₂(HPO₄)(SO₄)·4H₂O is formed through the reaction of calcite with bat guano. The mineral shows disorder, and the composition varies depending on the origin of the mineral. Thermal analysis shows that the mineral starts to decompose over the temperature range of 100–150 °C with some loss of water. The critical temperature for water loss is around 215 °C, and above this temperature, the mineral structure is altered. It is concluded that the mineral starts to decompose at 125 °C, with all waters of hydration being lost after 226 °C. Some loss of sulphate occurs over a broad temperature range centred upon 565 °C. The final decomposition temperature is 823 °C with loss of the sulphate and phosphate anions.     

Thermal analysis of iron(II) sulphate heptahydrate in air

Iron(II) sulphate hydrates (hexa- through mono-) have been prepared and their thermal decomposition behaviours have been studied in air by isothermal and dynamic thermal analysis methods. The results show that their behaviours are similar to that of the heptahydrate. The stepwise loss of water molecules is accompanied by oxidation. Under a restricted supply of oxygen, the anhydrous sulphate is oxidized directly to Fe₂O(SO₄)₂ without the formation of Fe(OH)SO₄. When free exchange with oxygen is allowed, Fe(OH)SO₄ is formed, which in turn decomposes to Fe₂O(SO₄)₂. The decomposition of Fe₂(SO₄)₂ to iron(III) oxide and sulphur oxides appears to occur via two independent paths — one direct and other through iron(III) sulphate.     

Synthesis and thermal analysis of indium-based hydrotalcites of formula Mg<Subscript>6</Subscript>In<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)(OH)<Subscript>16</Subscript>·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Insight into the unique structure of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) has been obtained using a combination of X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. Indium containing hydrotalcites of formula Mg₄In₂(CO₃)(OH)₁₂·4H₂O (2:1 In-LDH) through to Mg₈In₂(CO₃)(OH)₁₈·4H₂O (4:1 In-LDH) with variation in the Mg:In ratio have been successfully synthesised. The d(003) spacing varied from 7.83 Å for the 2:1 LDH to 8.15 Å for the 3:1 indium containing LDH. Distinct mass loss steps attributed to dehydration, dehydroxylation and decarbonation are observed for the indium containing hydrotalcite. Dehydration occurs over the temperature range ambient to 205 °C. Dehydroxylation takes place in a series of steps over the 238–277 °C temperature range. Decarbonation occurs between 763 and 795 °C. The dehydroxylation and decarbonation steps depend upon the Mg:In ratio. The formation of indium containing hydrotalcites and their thermal activation provides a method for the synthesis of indium oxide-based catalysts.     

Spectroscopic characterization of superparamagnetic particles of thermolytic products of ferric sulphate hydrates

Superparamagnetic particles of chemically pure samples, in the system Fe(OH)SO₄/Fe(OH)SO₄·(H₂O), are produced by thermal decomposition of ferric sulphate hydrates. The control of particle size distribution is achieved by successive hydration and dehydration processes monitored by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Mössbauer and IR spectroscopy. The particle size modification is related for the particle growth and two mechanisms are suggested thereon.     

Thermal decomposition of ammonium jarosite (NH4)Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6

Thermogravimetry combined with mass spectrometry has been used to study the thermal decomposition of a synthetic ammonium jarosite. Five mass loss steps are observed at 120, 260, 389, 510 and 541°C. Mass spectrometry through evolved gases confirms these steps as loss of water, dehydroxylation, loss of ammonia and loss of sulphate in two steps. Changes in the molecular structure of the ammonium jarosite were followed by infrared emission spectroscopy (IES). This technique allows the infrared spectrum at the elevated temperatures to be obtained. IES confirms the dehydroxylation to have taken place by 300°C and the ammonia loss by 450°C. Loss of the sulphate is observed by changes in band position and intensity after 500°C.