Spectrothermal investigation of the decomposition course of lanthanum acetate hydrate

Thermogravimetry, differential thermal, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy analyses showed La(CH₃COO)₃·1.5H₂O to decompose completely at 700°C yielding La₂O₃. The results revealed that the compound dehydrates in two steps at 130 and 180°C, and recrystallizes at 210°C. Water thus produced hydrolyzes surface acetates (at 310°C), releasing acetic acid into the gas phase. At 334°C, the anhydrous acetate releases gas phase CH₃COCH₃ to give La₂(CO₃)₃ residue, which decomposes to La₂O₂(CO₃) via the intermediate La₂O(CO₃)₂. On further heating up to 700°C, La₂O₃ is formed. IR spectroscopy of the gaseous products indicated a chemical reactivity at gas/solid interfaces formed throughout the decomposition course. As a result, CH₃COCH₃ was involved in a surface-mediated, bimolecular reaction, releasing CH₄ and C₄H₈ (isobutene) into the gas phase. Non-isothermal kinetic parameters, the rate constantk, frequency factorA, and activation energy ΔE, were calculated on the basis of temperature shifts experienced in the thermal processes encountered, at various heating rates (2–20 deg·min^?1).