Thermal decomposition of mixed oxalates

Abstract

The thermogravimetric analysis of several coprecipitated zinc-copper oxalates in nitrogen is reported. The thermal decompositions of these mixed oxalates show a separate single step for dehydration and decomposition in the mass loss versus temperature curve. It is found that the onset temperature decreases with composition. For example, it decreases from 380‡ for zinc oxalate to 260‡ for copper oxalate. The end-product is mixed oxides and copper metal. These studies indicate the formation of an interpenetrating structure or mixed crystals during coprecipitation. Rate parameters have been calculated for dehydration and decomposition.