Thermal decomposition behavior of praseodymium oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates

• Published in: Inorganic materials 2011-09, Vol.47 (9), p.974-978
• Main Authors: Treu, B. L., Fahrenholtz, W. G., O’Keefe, M. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asymptotic properties; Carbonates; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Decomposition; Hydroxides; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Morphology; Praseodymium oxide; Surface area; Thermal decomposition
• ISSN: 0020-1685; 1608-3172
• DOI: 10.1134/S0020168511090214

Thermal decomposition behavior was studied for Pr 6 O 11 , Pr 2 O 3 , Pr(OH 3 ), and Pr 2 (CO 3 ) 3 · x H 2 O. In the course of transformation, the intermediate species were different for each starting material, as well as the surface area and morphology of the final thermal decomposition products. During thermal decomposition in the temperature range of 200°C up to 1400°C, mass losses for each species were attributed to the removal of hydroxide and carbonate species based on changes in the infrared bands for each powder for hydroxide groups at ≃3600 cm −1 and carbonate groups at ≃1300–1500 cm −1 . X-ray diffraction analysis identified the final decomposition product at 1400°C for each species as Pr 6 O 11 regardless of the starting material. A decrease in surface area and increase in equivalent particle radius for each final Pr 6 O 11 product is attributed to sintering. The presence of hydroxyl and carbonate groups in the Pr 6 O 11 , Pr 2 O 3 , Pr(OH 3 ), and Pr 2 (CO 3 ) 3 · x H 2 O precursor dictate the morphology of thermally decomposed Pr 6 O 11 .