Reflectance Spectroscopy as a Monitor of the Thermal-Decomposition Products of Europium Trichloride Hexahydrate

The thermal-decomposition products of EuCl₃ · 6H₂O can be monitored through the use of ultraviolet/visible reflectance spectroscopy. The use of reflectance spectroscopy proved complimentary to other spectroscopic methods, combining to give a more complete representation of the decomposition products. Using variations in spectral features of the reflectance spectra, the penta- and tetrahydrate decomposition products were identified, along with the tri- and di-monohydrate compounds that were identified by luminescence spectroscopy. The observed intermediates and their corresponding decomposition temperatures can be compared to those obtained by other methods. Structural and environmental inferences as indicated by the reflectance spectra are discussed.