Influence of temperatures and starting materials used to prepare α-Fe2O3 on its catalytic activity at the thermal decomposition of KClO4

In order to elucidate the influence of preparative history of α-Fe₂O₃ on its reactivity, the catalytic thermal decomposition of KClO₄ by α-Fe₂O₃ was studied by means of DTA and X-ray techniques. The catalysts were prepared by the calcination of three iron salts, Fe(OH)(CH₃COO)₂, FeSO₄ ? 7H₂O and Fe₂(SO₄)₃ ? αH₂O, at temperatures of 500–1200°C in air. The lower the preparation temperature of αFe₂O₃, the larger the specific surface area and reversely the smaller the crystalline size. KClO₄ without α-Fe₂O₃ was found to begin fusion and decomposition simultaneously at about 530°C. The addition of αFe₂O₃ resulted in promotion of the decomposition reaction of KClO₄; a lowering of 30–110°C in the initial decomposition temperature and a solid-phase decomposition before fusion of KClO₄. The influence of preparative history of α-Fe₂O₃ on the decomposition mainly depended on the preparation temperature rather than the starting material. The initial decomposition temperature of KClO₄ increased with an increase of the preparation temperature of α-Fe₂O₃. The effect of α-Fe₂O₃ was discussed on the basis of the charge transfer and the oxygen abstraction models.     

Influence of the thermal treatment conditions and composition of bimetallic catalysts Fe—Pd/SiO2 on the catalytic properties in phenylacetylene hydrogenation

The supported bimetallic Fe—Pd/SiO₂ catalysts with the different Fe (0.025—8 mass.%) and Pd (0.05—3.2 mass.%) loadings were synthesized by the incipient wetness impregnation of support. The samples were heat-treated under different conditions (calcination in air at 240—350 °C or reduction in an H₂ flow at 400 °C). The X-ray phase analysis revealed the formation of Pd⁰, α-Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ phases after calcination of the samples at 240—260 °C. The reduction of the calcined Fe—Pd samples in an H₂ flow at 400 °C enables the formation of Fe⁰ nanoparticles of size 17—20 nm. The synthesized catalytic systems were studied in the selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in a solvent (ethanol, propanol). The catalytic properties of the Fe—Pd catalysts depend on the nature of solvent, catalyst composition, and thermal treatment conditions. The application of the Fe—Pd bimetallic catalysts with a low Pd loading of 0.05—0.1 mass.% made it possible to reach the high activity and selectivity to styrene (91%) at the complete conversion of phenylacetylene.     

Fe/Al-PILC催化C_3H_6选择性还原NO的实验研究

采用浸渍法制备了负载于铝柱撑黏土的铁基催化剂(Fe/Al-PILC),在固定床反应器上测试其催化C3H6选择性还原NO的性能。通过N2吸附-脱附、X射线衍射(XRD)、H2的程序升温还原(H2-TPR)、紫外可见光谱(Uv-vis)、吡啶吸附红外光谱(Py-FTIR)等手段对催化剂的物理化学性质进行表征。结果表明,9Fe/Al-PILC在400-550℃能够还原98%以上的NO,而且SO2和水蒸气对其催化性能的影响很小。XRD、N2吸附-脱附表征结果表明,Fe/Al-PILC催化剂中铁氧化物高度分散在载体表面,催化剂有较大的比表面积和孔容。H2-TPR结果表明,催化剂的活性主要由Fe_2O_3物相的还原性能决定。Uv-vis结果表明,催化剂的活性与铁氧低聚物种FexOy呈正相关性。Py-FTIR结果表明,催化剂表面同时存在Lewis酸和Brnsted酸,L酸性位是NO和C3H6反应的主要催化活性中心。     

Catalytic decomposition of CFC‐12 on solid acids SO42‐/MxOy (M?Zr,Ti, Sn,Fe, Al)

The catalytic decomposition of dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC‐12) in the presence of water vapor on a series of SO₄^2?‐promoted solid adds was investigated. CFC‐12 was decomposed completely on SO₄^2?/ZrO₂, SO₄^2?/TiO₂, SO₄^2?/SnO₂, SO₄^2?/ Fe₂O₃ and SO₄^2–/Al₂O₃ at 265°C, 270°C, 325°C, 350°C and 325°C, respectively, and the selectivity to by‐products was neglectable. Obvious deactivation was found on SO₄^2?/ZrO₂ and SO₄^2?/Al₂O₃, during several hours on stream, while the catalytic activity was maintained on SO₄^2?/TiO₂, SO₄^2?/SnO₂ and SO₄^2?/Fe₂O₃ for 240 h on stream.     

Effect of γ-irradiation and doping with MoO3 and V2O5 on surface and catalytic properties of manganese oxides

The effects of γ-irradiation (0.2–1.6 MGy), thermal treatment and doping with MoO₃ and V₂O₅ (0.25–4 mol%) on the surface and catalytic properties of manganese oxides prepared by thermal decomposition of manganese carbonate at 400°C and 600°C have been investigated. The techniques employed were X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption at −196°C, oxidation of CO by O₂ at 120–220°C and decomposition of H₂O₂ at 20–50°C. The results revealed that γ-irradiation decreased the particle size of manganese oxides, increased their specific surface areas, decreased the amount of surface excess oxygen and decreased their catalytic activities. The doping with MoO₃ and V₂O₅ conducted at 600°C brought about a measurable decrease in the BET-surface area and catalytic activities of the treated solids. These results were discussed in terms of splitting of manganese oxide particles and removal of chemisorbed oxygen by treating with γ-irradiation and formation of manganese molybdate and vanadates by treating with the used dopant oxides.     

Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> over MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Promoted Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalyst

A series of MoO₃ doped Fe₂O₃ catalysts prepared by the co-precipitation method were investigated in the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH₃ (NH₃-SCR). The catalysts displayed excellent catalytic activity from 225 to 400°C and high tolerance to SO₂/H₂O poisoning at 300°C. To characterize the catalysts the N₂-BET, XRD, Raman, NO-TPD, NH₃-TPD and in situ DRIFTS were carried out. It was found that the main reason explaining a high NH₃-SCR performance might be the synergistic effect between Fe and Mo species in the catalyst that could enhance the dispersion of Fe₂O₃ and increase NH₃ adsorption on the catalyst surface.     

八面体四氧化三铁亚微米晶负载铂催化剂用于室温催化氧化甲醛（英文）

空气中低浓度甲醛的治理和消除一直备受关注.在较低的反应温度下将甲醛转化为CO_2和H_2O的催化氧化法具有能耗低、效率高和环境友好等优点,被认为是一种最具应用发展前景的甲醛消除技术.在各种催化剂体系中,一些铁基氧化物(Fe_2O_3,FFe_3O_4或ferrihydrite)负载的Pt催化剂表现出较为优异的催化性能,能够在室温下实现甲醛的完全氧化.越来越多的研究表明,载体材料的结构及形貌是影响贵金属催化剂性能的主要因素.因此,深入研究Pt物种在不同类型铁基氧化物表面的分散情况及界面间相互作用,对理解催化剂活性中心的性质,设计制备性能更加优异的负载型贵金属催化剂具有重要科学意义.本文采用共沉淀法一步合成出八面体Fe_3O_4亚微米晶负载Pt催化剂(Pt/Fe_3O_4),考察了不同热处理温度对催化剂催化甲醛氧化反应性能的影响.结果表明,在80°C下热处理的催化剂(Pt/Fe_3O_4-80)具有很高的催化活性,在室温下甲醛的转化率可接近100%.随着催化剂热处理温度的升高,催化剂活性有所降低.此外,Pt/Fe_3O_4催化剂还表现出良好的稳定性,经长时间存放或连续运行后催化剂的活性基本保持不变.此外,在一定湿度范围内(RH=30%–80%),水的存在能够显著提高Pt/Fe_3O_4催化剂的甲醛催化氧化性能.采用各种表征技术对Pt/Fe_3O_4的结构、形貌、价态及氧化还原性等物理化学性质进行了研究.结果表明:采用该合成方法能够得到粒径较为均一、具有尖晶石结构和八面体形貌的Fe_3O_4亚微米晶,尺寸较小的Pt纳米粒子(平均2.5 nm)均匀分布在八面体Fe_3O_4晶体的表面,且Fe_3O_4载体表面还存在一定量的羟基物种.随着热处理温度的升高,催化剂表面的Pt物种和Fe物种的价态均发生明显变化.结果证实,Pt纳米粒子与Fe_3O_4载体间的相互作用力会随着热处理温度的升高而发生明显变化.对于性能较为优异的Pt/Fe_3O_4-80催化剂,Pt纳米粒子与Fe_3O_4载体之间存在着强度适宜的相互作用,能够产生相对较多的Pt-O-Fe Ox和Pt-OH-Fe Ox界面活性位,从而使其能够在较低的反应温度下表现出较强的活化分子氧的能力.此外,反应体系中引入的水分子能够与氧分子在界面活性位上共同活化,形成表面活性-OH物种,从而有效促进催化剂反应性能的提升.     

Thermogravimetric studies on catalytic effect of metal oxide nanoparticles on asphaltene pyrolysis under inert conditions

This study investigated the catalytic effect of NiO, Co₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles toward asphaltene thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) under inert conditions. Asphaltene adsorbed onto the selected nanoparticles were subjected to thermal decomposition up to 800?°C in a thermogravimetric analyzer. The presence of nanoparticles caused a significant decrease in the asphaltene decomposition temperature and activation energy. Activation energies for the process were calculated using the Ozawa?CFlynn?CWall method. All the selected metal oxide nanoparticles showed high catalytic activity toward asphaltene decomposition in the following order NiO?>?Co₃O₄?>?Fe₃O₄. This study confirms that metal oxide nanoparticles can significantly enhance the thermal decomposition of heavy hydrocarbons, like asphaltenes.     

Study of Fe-doped V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst for an enhanced NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SCR in diesel exhaust aftertreatment

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with ammonia has been considered as the most promising technology, as its effect deals with the NO_X. Novel Fe-doped V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts were prepared by sol–gel and impregnation methods. The effects of iron content and reaction temperature on the catalyst SCR reaction activity were explored by a test device, the results of which revealed that catalysts could exhibit the best catalytic activity when the iron mass ratio was 0.05%. It further proved that the VTiFe (0.05%) catalyst performed the best in denitration and its NO_X conversion reached 99.5% at 270 °C. The outcome of experimental procedures: Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction and adsorption (H₂-TPR, NH₃-TPD) techniques showed that the iron existed in the form of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ and the superior catalytic performance was attributed to the highly dispersed active species, lots of surface acid sites and absorbed oxygen. The modified Fe-doped catalysts do not only have terrific SCR activities, but also a rather broad range of active temperature which also enhances the resistance to SO₂ and H₂O.     

Investigation of Fe−Ni Mixed‐Oxide Catalysts for the Reduction of NO by CO: Physicochemical Properties and Catalytic Performance

A series of Fe?Ni mixed‐oxide catalysts were synthesized by using the sol–gel method for the reduction of NO by CO. These Fe?Ni mixed‐oxide catalysts exhibited tremendously enhanced catalytic performance compared to monometallic catalysts that were prepared by using the same method. The effects of Fe/Ni molar ratio and calcination temperature on the catalytic activity were examined and the physicochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, N₂‐adsorption/‐desorption isotherms, temperature‐programmed reduction with hydrogen (H₂‐TPR), temperature‐programmed desorption of nitric oxide (NO‐TPD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the reduction behavior, surface oxygen species, and surface chemical valence states of iron and nickel in the catalysts were the key factors in the NO elimination. Fe_0.5Ni_0.5O_x that was calcined at 250 °C exhibited excellent catalytic activity of 100 % NO conversion at 130 °C and a lifetime of more than 40 hours. A plausible mechanism for the reduction of NO by CO over the Fe?Ni mixed‐oxide catalysts is proposed, based on XPS and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) analyses.     

Monolithic FeO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for ammonia oxidation and nitrous oxide decomposition

(1.2–8.3)%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ monolith catalysts have been prepared by impregnating alumina with aqueous solutions of iron(III) nitrate and oxalate and have been tested in NH₃ oxidation and in the selective decomposition of N₂O in mixtures resulting from ammonia oxidation over a Pt–Rh gauze pack under conditions of nitric acid synthesis (800–900°C). In the case of the support calcined at 1200°C, the catalyst is dominated by bulk Fe₂O₃ particles localized on the Al₂O₃ surface. The activity of these samples in both reactions decreases with a decreasing active component content, thus limiting the potential of Fe₂(C₂O₄)₃ · 5H₂O, an environmentally friendlier but poorly soluble compound, as a substitute for Fe(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O. Decreasing the support calcination temperature to 1000°C or below leads to the formation of a highly defective Fe–Al–O solid solution in the (1.2–2.7)%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The surface layers of the solid solution are enriched with iron ions or stabilize ultrafine FeO_х particles. The catalytic activity of these samples in both reactions is close to the activities measured for ~8%FeO_х/Al₂O₃ samples prepared using iron nitrate.     

Studies regarding the formation from metal nitrates and diol of NiM 2 III O4 spinels, inside a silica matrix

The present study deals with preparation and characterization of spinel mixed oxide systems NiM ₂ ^III O₄, where M^III?=?Fe^III, Cr^III. In order to obtain 50% NiFe₂O₄/50% SiO₂ and 50% NiCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂ nanocomposite, we have used a versatile route based on the thermal decomposition inside the SiO₂ matrix, of some particular precursors, coordination compounds of the involved M^II and M^III cations with dicarboxylate ligands. The ligands form in the redox reaction between metal nitrates mixture and 1,3-propanediol at the heating around 140?°C of the gels (tetraethylorthosilicate?Cmetal nitrates?C1,3-propanediol?Cwater). The as-obtained precursors, embedded in silica gels, have been characterized by FT-IR spectrometry and thermal analysis. Both precursors thermally decompose up to 350?°C leading to the formation of the corresponding metal oxides inside the silica matrix. X-ray diffraction of the annealed powders have evidenced the formation of NiFe₂O₄ starting with 600?°C, and NiCr₂O₄ starting with 400?°C. This behavior can be explained by the fact that, by thermal decomposition of the Fe(III) carboxylate at 300?°C, the spinelic phase ??-Fe₂O₃ is formed, which interacts with the NiO, forming the ferrite nuclei. By thermal decomposition of chromium carboxylate, a nonstoichiometric chromium oxide (Cr₂O_3+x ) is formed. In the range 380?C400?°C, Cr₂O_3+x turns into Cr₂O₃ which immediately interacts with NiO leading to the formation of nickel chromites nuclei inside the pores of silica matrix. Both spinels have been obtained as nanocrystalites homogenously dispersed as resulted from XRD and TEM data.     

Thermal decomposition of Prussian blue under inert atmosphere

The thermal decomposition of Prussian blue (iron(III) hexacyanoferrate) under inert atmosphere of argon was monitored by thermal analysis from room temperature up to 1000?°C. X-ray powder diffraction and ⁵⁷Fe M?ssbauer spectroscopy were the techniques used for phase identification before and after sample heating. The decomposition reaction is based on a successive release of cyanide groups from the Prussian blue structure. Three principal stages were observed including dehydration, change of crystal structure of Prussian blue, and its decomposition. At 400?°C, a monoclinic Prussian blue analogue was identified, while at higher temperatures the formation of various polymorphs of iron carbides was observed, including an orthorhombic Fe₂C. Increase in the temperature above 700?°C induced decomposition of primarily formed Fe₇C₃ and Fe₂C iron carbides into cementite, metallic iron, and graphite. The overall decomposition reaction can be expressed as follows: Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃·4H₂O????4Fe?+?Fe₃C?+?7C?+?5(CN)₂?+?4N₂?+?4H₂O.     

Thermal behaviour of malonic acid,sodium malonate and its compounds with some bivalent transition metal ions

Characterization, thermal stability and thermal decomposition of transition metal malonates, MCH₂C₂O₄·nH₂O (M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)), as well as, the thermal behaviour of malonic acid (C₃H₄O₄) and its sodium salt (Na₂CH₂C₂O₄·H₂O) were investigated employing simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy, TG-FTIR system, elemental analysis and complexometry. The dehydration, as well as, the thermal decomposition of the anhydrous compounds occurs in a single step. For the sodium malonate the final residue up to 700 °C is sodium carbonate, while the transition metal malonates the final residue up to 335 °C (Mn), 400 °C (Fe), 340 °C (Co), 350 °C (Ni), 520 °C (Cu) and 450 °C (Zn) is Mn₃O₄, Fe₂O₃, Co₃O₄, NiO, CuO and ZnO, respectively. The results also provided information concerning the ligand's denticity, thermal behaviour and identification of some gaseous products evolved during the thermal decomposition of these compounds.     

On the sol–gel synthesis and catalytic activity of Ce1−xAxO2−δ (A = Pr, Sm, Gd) SOFCs anode materials for reforming of methane

A sol–gel route to synthesize nanocrystalline praseodymium-, samarium- and gadolinium-doped ceria powders for solid oxides fuel Cells SOFCs is presented. The method involves metal nitrates with propionic acid (both as chelating ligand and solvent), gel formation, liquid nitrogen quenching, drying at 150 °C/24 h, and finally decomposition at 450 °C in nitrogen followed by calcination at 650 °C in air. TG–DTA, BET, XRD, FTIR, UV–vis and catalytic tests were used to characterize the samples. Ce_0.8Pr_0.2O_2?δ sample exhibited the best catalytic performance in methane steam reforming under water deficient conditions, closely followed by Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2?δ, Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_2?δ and Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2?δ catalysts. The superior catalytic performance of Ce_0.8Pr_0.2O_2?δ sample was attributed to the existence of praseodymium species (Pr⁴⁺/Pr³⁺) strongly interacting with ceria. The two systems act synergistically in the catalytic steam reforming of methane.     

Preparation of nanosheet Fe-ZSM-5 catalysts, and effect of Fe content on acidity, water, and sulfur resistance in the selective catalytic reduction of NO x by ammonia

Direct synthesis of nanosheet Fe-ZSM-5 catalysts and their use for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO _x by ammonia were studied. XRD, BET, SEM, EPR, and NH₃-TPD were used to understand the properties of catalysts with different iron loading. XRD confirmed the presence of the ZSM-5 crystal phase, and there was no Fe₂O₃ phase on the surface of the crystals. SEM showed the Fe-ZSM-5 catalysts comprised microspheres made up of nanosheets. EPR indicated that the iron was present as isolated Fe³⁺and FeO _x oligomers uniformly dispersed throughout the crystals. NH₃-TPD indicated that Fe-ZSM-5 (20,1:1) had maximum acid sites and density at approximately 250 and 450 °C, respectively. Fe-ZSM-5 (20,1:1) had the highest activity in the SCR reaction with NH₃. It was also confirmed that Fe-ZSM-5 (20,1:1) had excellent resistance to SO₂ and H₂O under the SCR reaction conditions. The effects of water vapor and SO₂, iron loading, and the Si/(Fe + Al) ratio were also investigated for these catalysts.     

Influence of Support Type and Metal Loading in Methane Decomposition over Iron Catalyst for Hydrogen Production

Natural gas resources, stimulate the method of catalytic methane decomposition. Hydrogen is a superb energy carrier and integral component of the present energy systems, while carbon nanotubes exhibit remarkable chemical and physical properties. The reaction was run at 700 °C in a fixed bed reactor. Catalyst calcination and reduction were done at 500 °C. MgO, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ supported catalysts were prepared using a co‐precipitation method. Catalysts of different iron loadings were characterized with BET, TGA, XRD, H₂‐TPR and TEM. The catalyst characterization revealed the formation of multi‐walled nanotubes. Alternatively, time on stream tests of supported catalyst at 700 °C revealed the relative profiles of methane conversions increased as the %Fe loading was increased. Higher %Fe loadings decreased surface area of the catalyst. Iron catalyst supported with Al₂O₃ exhibited somewhat higher catalytic activity compared with MgO and TiO₂ supported catalysts when above 35% Fe loading was used. CH₄ conversion of 69% was obtained utilizing 60% Fe/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Alternatively, Fe/MgO catalysts gave the highest initial conversions when iron loading below 30% was employed. Indeed, catalysts with 15% Fe/MgO gave 63% conversion and good stability for 1 h time on stream. Inappropriateness of Fe/TiO₂ catalysts in the catalytic methane decomposition was observed.     

Preparation of nanocrystalline BiFeO3 and kinetics of thermal process of precursor

The Bi₂Fe₂(C₂O₄)₅·5H₂O was synthesized by solid-state reaction at low heat using Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O, FeSO₄·7H₂O, and Na₂C₂O₄ as raw materials. The nanocrystalline BiFeO₃ was obtained by calcining Bi₂Fe₂(C₂O₄)₅·5H₂O at 600 °C in air. The precursor and its calcined products were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, FT-IR, X-ray powder diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The data showed that highly crystallized BiFeO₃ with hexagonal structure [space group R3c(161)] was obtained when the precursor was calcined at 600 °C in air for 1.5 h. The thermal process of the precursor in air experienced five steps which involved, at first, the dehydration of an adsorption water molecule, then dehydration of four crystal water molecules, decomposition of FeC₂O₄ into Fe₂O₃, decomposition of Bi₂(C₂O₄)₃ into Bi₂O₃, and at last, reaction of Bi₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ into hexagonal BiFeO₃. Based on Starink equation, the values of the activation energies associated with the thermal process of Bi₂Fe₂(C₂O₄)₅·5H₂O were determined. Besides, the most probable mechanism functions and thermodynamic functions (ΔS ^≠, ΔH ^≠, and ΔG ^≠) of thermal processes of Bi₂Fe₂(C₂O₄)₅·5H₂O were also determined.     

Thermal Characterization and Physico-Chemical Properties of Fe2O3−Mn2O3/Al2O3 Systems

The effect of ferric and manganese oxides dopants on thermal and physicochemical properties of Mn-oxide/Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ systems has been studied separately. The pure and doped mixed solids were thermally treated at 400–1000°C. Pyrolysis of pure and doped mixed solids was investigated via thermal analysis (TG-DTG) techniques. The thermal products were characterized using XRD-analysis. The results revealed that pure ferric nitrate decomposes into Fe₂O₃ at 350°C and shows thermal stability up to1000°C. Crystalline Fe₃O₄ and Mn₃O₄phases were detected for some doped solids precalcined at 1000°C. Crystalline γ-Al₂O₃ phase was detected for all solids preheated up to 800°C. Ferric and manganese oxides enhanced the formation of α-Al₂O₃ phase at1000°C. Crystalline MnAl₂O₄ and MnFe₂O₄ phases were formed at 1000°C as a result of solid–solid interaction processes. The catalytic behavior of the thermal products was tested using the decomposition of H₂O₂ reaction. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the use of electron paramagnetic resonance to implement thermogravimetry data: the thermal decomposition of zinc oxalate dihydrate

The complementary use of thermogravimetric analysis and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy enables the identification on interrelated and successive steps in the vacuum decomposition of ZnC₂O₄ · 2H₂O. After completion of the oxalate dehydration, CO adsorbed species (analogous to those previously reported on MgO) are observed by EPR, starting at a temperature of 250°C. In the temperature range 250–350°C, the CO ad-species disappear while paramagnetic ZnO_1?x and possibly CO^?₄ entities are formed. It is proposed that the latter stems from the reaction of oxygen released by the decomposition of ZnO with CO₂ produced during the oxalate decomposition. Above 300°C, ZnO_1?x and CO^?₄ disappear, leading to the formation of O^3?₃ centers. The latter are gradually decomposed between 350 and 575°C, releasing O₂ observed in EPR as O^?₂ molecular anions and trapped electrons which are again detected as ZnO_1?x. A partially reduced ZnO phase is most probably the end-product of the decomposition.