Thermal decomposition of cerussite

Thanks to its distinctive physical properties, lead stands out as one of the most valuable non-ferrous metals globally. Both pure lead and its alloys are extensively used across various sectors, including mechanical engineering, radiation shielding, battery manufacturing, and several other industrial applications [1,2]. In natural deposits, lead is predominantly encountered as sulphide minerals, such as galena, and to a lesser extent as carbonate minerals like cerussite. The aim of this study is the thermal analysis of the dissociation of the mineral cerussite. The analysis is performed using TGA, DTA and DSC methods, at a heating rate of 5 °C/min. It was established that PbCO3 first decomposes into PbO. As the temperature rises, PbO oxidizes, forming Pb2O3. A further increase in temperature leads to a reaction between Pb2O3 and residual PbO, resulting in Pb3O4. Since the initial sample of cerusite also contains CaCO3, at the very end of the thermal decomposition, CaCO3 breaks down into CaO, which reacts with Pb3O4 to form Ca2PbO4.