Effect of metal oxide additives on the thermal decomposition of KMnO4

The study of the thermal decomposition of potassium permanganate in air has been studied using DTA, TG and isothermal decomposition between 150 and 400°C. Rate constants were evaluated and found to be affected by the presence of foreign ions. Oxides such as Fe₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ resulted in a lowering of the decomposition temperature. The modified catalytic mechanisms were proposed by considering the electron transfer and the oxygen-abstraction models.