Conventional and controlled rate thermal analysis of nesquehonite Mg(HCO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)(OH)·2(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)

The understanding of the thermal stability of magnesium carbonates and the relative metastability of hydrous carbonates including hydromagnesite, artinite, nesquehonite, barringtonite and lansfordite is extremely important to the sequestration process for the removal of atmospheric CO₂. The conventional thermal analysis of synthetic nesquehonite proves that dehydration takes place in two steps at 157, 179°C and decarbonation at 416 and 487°C. Controlled rate thermal analysis shows the first dehydration step is isothermal and the second quasi-isothermal at 108 and 145°C. In the CRTA experiment carbon dioxide is evolved at 376°C. CRTA technology offers better resolution and a more detailed interpretation of the decomposition processes of magnesium carbonates such as nesquehonite via approaching equilibrium conditions of decomposition through the elimination of the slow transfer of heat to the sample as a controlling parameter on the process of decomposition. Constant-rate decomposition processes of non-isothermal nature reveal partial collapse of the nesquehonite structure.     

Dynamic and controlled rate thermal analysis of hydrozincite and smithsonite

The understanding of the thermal stability of zinc carbonates and the relative stability of hydrous carbonates including hydrozincite and hydromagnesite is extremely important to the sequestration process for the removal of atmospheric CO₂. The hydration-carbonation or hydration-and-carbonation reaction path in the ZnO-CO₂-H₂O system at ambient temperature and atmospheric CO₂ is of environmental significance from the standpoint of carbon balance and the removal of green house gases from the atmosphere. The dynamic thermal analysis of hydrozincite shows a 22.1% mass loss at 247°C. The controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA) pattern of hydrozincite shows dehydration at 38°C, some dehydroxylation at 170°C and dehydroxylation and decarbonation in a long isothermal step at 190°C. The CRTA pattern of smithsonite shows a long isothermal decomposition with loss of CO₂ at 226°C. CRTA technology offers better resolution and a more detailed interpretation of the decomposition processes of zinc carbonate minerals via approaching equilibrium conditions of decomposition through the elimination of the slow transfer of heat to the sample as a controlling parameter on the process of decomposition. The CRTA technology offers a mechanism for the study of the thermal decomposition and relative stability of minerals such as hydrozincite and smithsonite.     

Kinetic parameters of unsaturated polyester resin modified with poly(ε -caprolactone)

The mineral sabugalite (HAl)_0.5[(UO₂)₂(PO₄)]₂⋅8H₂O, has been studied using a combination of energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, dynamic and controlled rate thermal analysis techniques. X-ray diffraction shows that the starting material in the thermal decomposition is sabugalite and the product of the thermal treatment is a mixture of aluminium and uranyl phosphates. Four mass loss steps are observed for the dehydration of sabugalite at 48°C (temperature range 39 to 59°C), 84°C (temperature range 59 to 109°C), 127°C (temperature range 109 to 165°C) and around 270°C (temperature range 175 to 525°C) with mass losses of 2.8, 6.5, 2.3 and 4.4%, respectively, making a total mass loss of water of 16.0%. In the CRTA experiment mass loss stages were found at 60, 97, 140 and 270°C which correspond to four dehydration steps involving the loss of 2, 6, 6 and 2 moles of water. These mass losses result in the formation of four phases namely meta(I)sabugalite, meta(II)sabugalite, meta(III)sabugalite and finally uranyl phosphate and alumina phosphates. The use of a combination of dynamic and controlled rate thermal analysis techniques enabled a definitive study of the thermal decomposition of sabugalite. While the temperature ranges and the mass losses vary due to the different experimental conditions, the results of the CRTA analysis should be considered as standard data due to the quasi-equilibrium nature of the thermal decomposition process. The online version of the original article can be found at     

Dynamic and controlled rate thermal analysis of halotrichite

Three halotrichites namely halotrichite Fe²⁺SO₄·Al₂(SO₄)₃·22H₂O, apjohnite Mn²⁺SO₄·Al₂(SO₄)₃·22H₂O and dietrichite ZnSO₄·Al₂(SO₄)₃·22H₂O, were analysed by both dynamic, controlled rate thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis. Because of the time limitation in the controlled rate experiment of 900 min, two experiments were undertaken (a) from ambient to 430 °C and (b) from 430 to 980 °C. For halotrichite in the dynamic experiment mass losses due to dehydration were observed at 80, 102, 319 and 343 °C. Three higher temperature mass losses occurred at 621, 750 and 805 °C. In the controlled rate thermal analysis experiment two isothermal dehydration steps are observed at 82 and 97 °C followed by a non-isothermal dehydration step at 328 °C. For apjohnite in the dynamic experiment mass losses due to dehydration were observed at 99, 116, 256, 271 and 304 °C. Two higher temperature mass losses occurred at 781 and 922 °C. In the controlled rate thermal analysis experiment three isothermal dehydration steps are observed at 57, 77 and 183 °C followed by a non-isothermal dehydration step at 294 °C. For dietrichite in the dynamic experiment mass losses due to dehydration were observed at 115, 173, 251, 276 and 342 °C. One higher temperature mass loss occurred at 746 °C. In the controlled rate thermal analysis experiment two isothermal dehydration steps are observed at 78 and 102 °C followed by three non-isothermal dehydration steps at 228, 243 and 323 °C. In the CRTA experiment a long isothermal step at 636 °C attributed to de-sulphation is observed.     

Controlled rate thermal analysis of sepiolite

Controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA) technology offers better resolution and a more detailed interpretation of the decomposition processes of a clay mineral such as sepiolite via approaching equilibrium conditions of decomposition through the elimination of the slow transfer of heat to the sample as a controlling parameter on the process of decomposition. Constant-rate decomposition processes of non-isothermal nature reveal changes in the sepiolite as the sepiolite is converted to an anhydride. In the dynamic experiment two dehydration steps are observed over the ~20–170 and 170–350 °C temperature range. In the dynamic experiment three dehydroxylation steps are observed over the temperature ranges 201–337, 337–638 and 638–982 °C. The CRTA technology enables the separation of the thermal decomposition steps.     

Controlled rate thermal analysis of sepiolite

CRTA technology offers better resolution and a more detailed interpretation of the decomposition processes of a clay mineral such as sepiolite via approaching equilibrium conditions of decomposition through the elimination of the slow transfer of heat to the sample as a controlling parameter on the process of decomposition. Constant-rate decomposition processes of non-isothermal nature reveal changes in the sepiolite as the sepiolite is converted to an anhydride. In the dynamic experiment two dehydration steps are observed over the ~20–170 and 170–350 °C temperature range. In the dynamic experiment three dehydroxylation steps are observed over the temperature ranges 201–337, 337–638 and 638–982 °C. The CRTA technology enables the separation of the thermal decomposition steps.     

Thermal decomposition of hydrotalcite with hexacyanoferrate(II) and hexacyanoferrate(III) anions in the interlayer

The mechanism for the decomposition of hydrotalcite remains unsolved. Controlled rate thermal analysis enables this decomposition pathway to be explored. The thermal decomposition of hydrotalcites with hexacyanoferrate(II) and hexacyanoferrate(III) in the interlayer has been studied using controlled rate thermal analysis technology. X-ray diffraction shows the hydrotalcites have a d(003) spacing of 10.9 and 11.1 Å which compares with a d-spacing of 7.9 and 7.98 Å for the hydrotalcite with carbonate or sulphate in the interlayer. Calculations show dehydration with a total loss of 7 moles of water proving the formula of hexacyanoferrate(II) intercalated hydrotalcite is Mg₆Al₂(OH)₁₆[Fe(CN)₆]_0.5·7H₂O and 9.0 moles for the hexacyanoferrate(III) intercalated hydrotalcite with the formula of Mg₆Al₂(OH)₁₆[Fe(CN)₆]_0.66·9H₂O. CRTA technology indicates the partial collapse of the dehydrated mineral. Dehydroxylation combined with CN unit loss occurs in two isothermal stages at 377 and 390°C for the hexacyanoferrate(III) and in a single isothermal process at 374°C for the hexacyanoferrate(III) hydrotalcite.     

DTA and FT-IR analysis of the rehydration of basic magnesium carbonate

The rehydration characteristics of a commercially produced hydromagnesite and two basic magnesium carbonates synthetically produced from Mg(OH)₂, are presented. The products were dehydrated and dehydroxylated at 325°C before rehydration was attempted. DTA and FT-IR were used to follow the structural changes that occurred during the rehydration processes. The results obtained for the commercially and synthetically produced hydromagnesite products indicated that the original symmetry of the groups was reclaimed during rehydration. This was not observed for the synthetically produced unidentified basic magnesium carbonate product. This investigation provides insight into the rehydration characteristics of a select group of basic magnesium carbonates. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal decomposition of the synthetic hydrotalcite iowaite

The thermal stability and thermal decomposition pathways for synthetic iowaite have been determined using thermogravimetry in conjunction with evolved gas mass spectrometry. Chemical analysis showed the formula of the synthesised iowaite to be Mg_6.27Fe_1.73(Cl)_1.07(OH)₁₆(CO₃)_0.336.1H₂O and X-ray diffraction confirms the layered structure. Dehydration of the iowaite occurred at 35 and 79°C. Dehydroxylation occurred at 254 and 291°C. Both steps were associated with the loss of CO₂. Hydrogen chloride gas was evolved in two steps at 368 and 434°C. The products of the thermal decomposition were MgO and a spinel MgFe₂O₄. Experimentally it was found to be difficult to eliminate CO₂ from inclusion in the interlayer during the synthesis of the iowaite compound and in this way the synthesised iowaite resembled the natural mineral.     

CO oxidation with oxygen of the catalyst and gas-phase oxygen over (0.5−15)%СоО/СеО<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The CO adsorption species on Co₃O₄ and (0.5-15%)CoO/CeO₂ catalysts have been investigated by temperature-programmed desorption and IR spectroscopy. At 20°C, the largest amount of CO is adsorbed on the 5%CoO/CeO₂ sample to form, on Co_m²⁺O_n²⁺ clusters, hydrogen-containing, bidentate, and monodentate carbonate complexes, whose decomposition is accompanied by CO₂ desorption at 300 and 450°C (1.1 × 10²⁰ g^–1). The formation of the carbonates is accompanied by the formation of Co⁺ cations and Co⁰, on which carbonyls form. The latter decompose at 20, 90, and 170°C to release CO (2.7 × 10¹⁹ g^–1). Part of the carbonyls oxidizes to CO₂ upon oxygen adsorption, and the CO₂ undergoes desorption at 20°C. Adsorbed oxygen decreases the decomposition temperature of the H-containing and bidentate carbonates from 300 to 100-170°C and maintains the sample in the oxidized state, which is active in subsequent CO adsorption and oxidation. CO oxidation by oxygen of the catalyst diminishes the activity of the sample in these processes and increases the decomposition temperature of the carbonate complexes. Taking into account the properties of the adsorption complexes, we concluded that the H-containing and bidentate carbonates are involved in CO oxidation by oxygen of the catalyst at ~170°C under isothermal conditions. The rate limiting step is the decomposition of the carbonates, a process whose activation energy is 65-74 kJ/mol.     

Thermal decomposition of liebigite

Summary A combination of high resolution thermogravimetric analysis coupled to a gas evolution mass spectrometer has been used to study the thermal decomposition of liebigite. Water is lost in two steps at 44 and 302°C. Two mass loss steps are observed for carbon dioxide evolution at 456 and 686°C. The product of the thermal decomposition was found to be a mixture of CaUO₄ and Ca₃UO₆. The thermal decomposition of liebigite was followed by hot-stage Raman spectroscopy. Two Raman bands are observed in the 50°C spectrum at 3504 and 3318 cm^-1 and shift to higher wavenumbers upon thermal treatment; no intensity remains in the bands above 300°C. Three bands assigned to the υ₁ symmetric stretching modes of the (CO₃)^2- units are observed at 1094, 1087 and 1075 cm^-1 in agreement with three structurally distinct (CO₃)^2- units. At 100°C, two bands are found at 1089 and 1078 cm^-1. Thermogravimetric analysis is undertaken as dynamic experiment with a constant heating rate whereas the hot-stage Raman spectroscopic experiment occurs as a staged experiment. Hot stage Raman spectroscopy supports the changes in molecular structure of liebigite during the proposed stages of thermal decomposition as observed in the TG-MS experiment.     

Thermal decomposition of lead titanyl oxalate tetrahydrate

The thermal behaviour of PbTiO(C₂O₄)₂·4H₂O (PTO) has been investigated, employing TG, quantitative DTA, infrared spectroscopy and (high temperature) X-ray powder diffraction.The decomposition involves four main steps. The first is the dehydration of the tetrahydrate (30–180°C), followed by a small endothermic (270–310°C) and a large exothermic decomposition of the oxalate. The main (exothermic) oxalate decomposition (310–390°C) results in a stable oxide-carbonate PbTiO₂₅.(CO₃)_0.5. In the last step a phase transition, release of CO₂ and ordering of the crystalline cubic PbTiO₃ lattice can be detected (460–530_C).It can be argued that for thermodynamic reasons the presence of lead-oxo- carbonates in the oxide-carbonate intermediate is not possible.No differences could be found in thermal behaviour of two crystallographically different synthetic forms of PTO, of which one has an orthorhombic lattice.     

Isothermal differential scanning calorimetry on an exothermic phenomenon during thermal decomposition of hydromagnesite 4 MgCO3 · Mg(OH)2 · 4 H2O

An exothermic phenomenon and a simultaneous rapid evolution of a small amount of carbon dioxide at ?500°C during thermal decomposition of hydromagnesite 4 MgCO₃ · Mg(OH)₂ · 4 H₂O was studied by isothermal DSCTG in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. It was quantitatively confirmed that the exothermic phenomenon was due to crystallization of MgCO₃ from the amorphous phase and that the evolution of carbon dioxide was due to decomposition of the MgCO₃ by the heat of crystallization (?3.4 kcal mole^?1.     

Thermal decomposition of the synthetic hydrotalcite woodallite

The thermal stability and thermal decomposition pathways for synthetic woodallite have been determined using thermogravimetry in conjunction with evolved gas mass spectrometry. Chemical analysis showed the formula of the synthesised woodallite to be Mg_6.28Cr_1.72Cl(OH)₁₆(CO₃)_0.36⋅8.3H₂O and X-ray diffraction confirms the layered LDH structure. Dehydration of the woodallite occurred at 65°C. Dehydroxylation occurred at 302 and 338°C. Both steps were associated with the loss of carbonate. Hydrogen chloride gas was evolved over a wide temperature range centred on 507°C. The products of the thermal decomposition were MgO and a spinel MgCr₂O₄. Experimentally it was found to be difficult to eliminate CO₂ from inclusion in the interlayer during the synthesis of the woodallite compound and in this way the synthesised woodallite resembled the natural mineral.     

Ni–Al hydrotalcite-like material as the catalyst precursors for the dry reforming of methane at low temperature

Nickel–aluminium and magnesium–aluminium hydrotalcites were prepared by co-precipitation and subsequently submitted to calcination. The mixed oxides obtained from the thermal decomposition of the synthesized materials were characterized by XRD, H₂-TPR, N₂ sorption and elemental analysis and subsequently tested in the reaction of methane dry reforming (DRM) in the presence of excess of methane (CH₄/CO₂/Ar = 2/1/7). DMR in the presence of the nickel-containing hydrotalcite-derived material showed CH₄ and CO₂ conversions of ca. 50% at 550 °C. The high values of the H₂/CO molar ratio indicate that at 550 °C methane decomposition was strongly influencing the DRM process. The sample reduced at 900 °C showed better catalytic performance than the sample activated at 550 °C. The catalytic performance in isothermal conditions from 550 °C to 750 °C was also determined.     

Thermal decomposition of natural iowaite

The thermal decomposition of natural iowaite of formula Mg₆Fe₂(Cl,(CO₃)_0.5)(OH)₁₆·4H₂O was studied by using a combination of thermogravimetry and evolved gas mass spectrometry. Thermal decomposition occurs over a number of mass loss steps at 60°C attributed to dehydration, 266 and 308°C assigned to dehydroxylation of ferric ions, at 551°C attributed to decarbonation and dehydroxylation, and 644, 703 and 761°C attributed to further dehydroxylation. The mass spectrum of carbon dioxide exhibits a maximum at 523°C. The use of TG coupled to MS shows the complexity of the thermal decomposition of iowaite. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hochdrucksynthesen von Carbonaten. VIII. Thallium-Lanthanoid-Carbonate

High Pressure Syntheses of Carbonates. VIII. Thallium Lanthanoid Carbonates The ternary carbonates TlLn(CO₃)₂ with Ln = La to Lu and Y are synthesized at 350°C by dehydration of the carbonates TlLn(CO₃)₂ · xH₂O or at 500°C by reaction of Tl₂CO₃ and Ln₂(C₂O₄)₃ · yH₂O under 3000 bar CO₂. X-ray and IR investigations show the existence of five different structures. The compound Tl₅La(CO₃)₄ is synthesized and X-ray and IR investigations were performed.     

Mechanism for hydrotalcite decomposition: a controlled rate thermal analysis study

The mechanism for the decomposition of hydrotalcite remains unsolved. Controlled rate thermal analysis enables this decomposition pathway to be explored. Hydrotalcites containing carbonate, vanadate and molybdate were prepared by coprecipitation. The resulting materials were characterised by XRD, simultaneous TG-DTG-DTA and controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA) to determine the stability and thermal decomposition pathway of the synthesised hydrotalcites. For the carbonate intercalated hydrotalcite dehydration takes place in three steps two of which are quasi-isothermal and one non-isothermal. Dehydroxylation and decarbonation occur separately over the 235-330 and 330-370 degrees C temperature range. A second non-isothermal decarbonation step is observed in the 371-541 degrees C range. In comparison the mixed carbonate-vanadate and carbonate-molybdate hydrotalcites show two dehydration steps and the dehydroxylation and decarbonation occur simultaneously. The observation of three dehydration steps is used to support the model of water molecules in three structurally distinct environments in the hydrotalcite interlayer. CRTA technology provides a mechanism for the decomposition of hydrotalcites.     

Thermal decomposition of the layered double hydroxides of formula Cu6Al2(OH)16CO3 and Zn6Al2(OH)16CO3

Zn-Al hydrotalcites and Cu-Al hydrotalcites were synthesised by coprecipitation method and analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis coupled with mass spectroscopy. These methods provide a measure of the thermal stability of the hydrotalcite. The XRD patterns demonstrate similar patterns to that of the reference patterns but present impurities attributed to Zn(OH)₂ and Cu(OH)₂. The analysis shows that the d003 peak for the Zn-Al hydrotalcite gives a spacing in the interlayer of 7.59 ? and the estimation of the particle size by using the Debye-Scherrer equation and the width of the d003 peak is 590 ?. In the case of the Cu-Al hydrotalcite, the d003 spacing is 7.57 ? and the size of the diffracting particles was determined to be 225 ?. The thermal decomposition steps can be broken down into 4 sections for both of these hydrotalcites. The first step decomposition below 100°C is caused by the dehydration of some water absorbed. The second stage shows two major steps attributed to the dehydroxylation of the hydrotalcite. In the next stage, the gas CO₂ is liberated over a temperature range of 150°C. The last reactions occur over 400°C and involved CO₂ evolution in the decomposition of the compounds produced during the dehydroxylation of the hydrotalcite.     

Hochdrucksynthese von Carbonaten. VI. Natrium-Lanthanoid-Carbonate

High Pressure Syntheses of Carbonates. VI. Sodium Lanthanoid Carbonates The ternary carbonates NaLn(CO₃)₂ with Ln = La to Lu and Y are synthesized by dehydration of NaLn(CO₃)₂ · xH₂O or by reaction of Na₂CO₃ with Ln₂(C₂O₄)₃ · xH₂O under 3000 bar CO₂ and 350–500°C. Two structures are found, characterized by IR and X-ray investigations and by thermal decomposition.