Laser-induced transformation of stibnite (Sb2S3) and other structurally related salts

• The photoinduced Raman transformation of stibnite is explained.
• The resulting products from thermo-induced oxidative decomposition are senarmontite and cervantite.
• The resulting products from laser-degradated sample are senarmontite and antimony metal.
• The result is valid for other SbS3-pyramid-containing sulfosalts.

Photoinduced transformation/degradation of stibnite (Sb2S3) by the use of micro-Raman spectroscopy was explained. The transformation products were compared with those obtained by the thermal degradation of stibnite carried out in independent experiments. The proposed mechanism of photodegradation of Sb2S3, also found to occur in other related SbS3-pyramid-containing sulfosalts, helps to overcome the future erroneous interpretation of the bands in the Raman spectra of this important group of minerals as well to stress particular concern on the adjustment of the laser-excitation intensity when using micro-Raman and FT-Raman spectroscopy instrumentation in the study of other photosensitive and photodegradable compounds (including minerals).