Struvite (NH
4MgPO
4·6H
2O) is a mineral often found in urinary tracts and kidneys. Thermal decomposition using slow low heating shows that the 'kidney'
stone can be decomposed at temperatures below 40°C. At this temperature both ammonia and water are evolved. If more rapid
heating is employed the decomposition occurs at around 80°C. The implication of this work rests with the use of low slow heat
for the decomposition of the kidney stones.
phosphate - hot stage Raman spectroscopy - infrared emission spectroscopy - high resolution thermogravimetric analysis - kidney stones - struvite
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.