Synthesis and thermal study of antlerite

Specimens of antlerite of the Cu3(OH)4SO4 and Cu3(OH)4SO4 · 0.25H2O compositions were synthesized and characterized by thermogravimetry in the 20-1000°C temperature range. Temperature ranges of dehydration, dehydroxylation, and desulfation were determined in dynamic, quasi-isothermal, and quasi-isoharic modes. X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy showed that the product of antlerite dehydroxylation is a mixture of crystalline dolerophanite Cu2OSO4 and tenorite CuO.