Analytical control of silica glass production. Voltammetric determination of titanium and iron in raw materials and silica glass samples

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric (AdSV) methods are presented for the determination of titanium and iron in quartz and silica glass samples obtained after pressure decomposition. Mandelic acid and catechol were used as complexing agents for titanium and iron, respectively. The method for titanium determination is based on the catalytic effect of chlorate ions. An insoluble residue remaining after decomposition of quartz and silica glass samples in HF+H₂SO₄ mixture was checked by energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. ET-AAS was applied as a reference method to AdSV measurements.     

The effect of particle size on the thermal decomposition kinetics of potassium bromate

The thermal decomposition of potassium bromate (KBrO₃) has been studied as a function of particle size, in the range 53?C150???m, by isothermal thermogravimetry at different temperatures, viz. 668, 673, 678, and 683?K in static air atmosphere. The theoretical and experimental mass loss data are in good agreement for the thermal decomposition of all samples of KBrO₃ at all temperatures studied. The isothermal decomposition of all samples of KBrO₃ was subjected to both model fitting and model-free (isoconversional) kinetic methods of analysis. Isothermal model fitting analysis shows that the thermal decomposition kinetics of all the samples of KBrO₃ studied can be best described by the contracting square equation. Contrary to the expected increase in rate followed by a decrease with decrease in particle size, KBrO₃ shows a regular increase in rate with reduction in particle size, which, we suggest, is an impact of melting of this solid during decomposition.     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of bismuth peroxotitanate to Bi2Ti2O7

Bi-peroxotitanate was synthesized by a peroxo method and after thermal decomposition Bi₂Ti₂O₇ was obtained. DTA, TG and DSC curves of Bi₂[Ti₂(O₂)₄(OH)₆]5H₂O were recorded and used to determine isothermal conditions suitable for obtaining the intermediate samples corresponding to the phases observed during the thermal decomposition. The samples were identified by quantitative analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. The experimental results were used to propose a mechanism of thermal decomposition of the investigated compound to a nanosized Bi₂Ti₂O₇. The optimum conditions were also determined for obtaining Bi₂Ti₂O₇, which is applicable for piezosensors.     

Reasons for the decomposition of the fungicide thiram during preparation of fruit and vegetable samples and consequences for residue analysis

The concentration of thiram in aqueous solution decreases by 50–75% within 20 min in the presence of cut pieces of apple, cucumber or celeriac with a section surface area of 160 cm² each. The decomposition rate is predominantly influenced by the section surface area of the cut fruit and vegetable samples. Denaturing reaction conditions (exchange of the solvent water by methanol; boiling of sample material) will significantly slow down the decomposition rate. It was concluded that the thiram decomposition had been caused by enzymes on the section surface of the fruit and vegetable samples. For a specific determination of thiram, a simple rinsing of the intact fruit and vegetable material was appropriate as extraction method. For the screening of thiram residues, the often used Keppel method, which determines CS₂ from thiram or dithiocarbamates seems to be applicable even if samples had been coarsely cut, since decomposition of the CS₂-forming intermediates is slower than the breakdown of thiram itself. Therefore, specific determination of thiram is necessary only, if maximum residue limits for dithiocarbamates are not adhered to.     

Preparation of MXene-Cu2O nanocomposite and effect on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

MXenes are novel graphene-like 2-D materials. Cu₂O is an effective additive for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). We reported the synthesis of MXene (Ti₃C₂), Cu₂O and MXene-Cu₂O respectively. The samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Results indicate that the MXene is composed of lots of nano-sheets and the thickness is 30 ± 10 nm, and Cu₂O nanoparticles nucleate and grow heterogeneously directly on the surface of MXene. The effect of these MXene, Cu₂O and MXene-Cu₂O samples on the thermal decomposition of AP were investigated using TG-DSC. The results revealed that MXene-Cu₂O have a great influence on the thermal decomposition of AP than that of pure MXene and Cu₂O.     

Thermal decomposition kinetics of potassium iodate

The rate and kinetics of the thermal decomposition of potassium iodate (KIO₃) has been studied as a function of particle size, in the range 63?C150???m, by isothermal thermogravimetry at different temperatures, 790, 795, 800 and 805?K in nitrogen atmosphere. The theoretical and experimental mass loss data are in good agreement for the thermal decomposition of all samples of KIO₃ at all temperatures studied. The isothermal decomposition of all samples of KIO₃ was subjected to both model-fitting and model-free (isoconversional) kinetic methods of analysis. It has been observed that the activation energy values are independent of the particle size. Isothermal model-fitting analysis shows that the thermal decomposition kinetics of all the samples of KIO₃ studied can be best described by the contracting cube equation.     

Thermochemical and morphological aspects of the thermal decomposition of lead dioxide

The thermal decomposition of a range of PbO₂ samples prepared by different techniques has been studied using thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of preparation technique, material crystallinity, particle size and morphology, gas atmosphere and heating rate were studied.A range of decomposition sequences were found from which it was concluded that no definite decomposition sequences exist for either α-PbO₂ or β-PbO₂.Morphologically it was not found possible to study the nucleation and growth of the intermediate oxides formed.     

The effects of gamma rays upon monohydrated and anhydrous asparagine: a DSC study in sealed pans

Non-irradiated and gamma irradiated monohydrated (l Asn·H₂O) and anhydrous (l Asn) asparagines, in solid state, were studied by means of DSC. The samples were irradiated at room temperature with gamma radiations using a ¹³⁷Cs source. The exposure doses ranged between 1 and 10 kGy. All samples were scanned in sealed pans, from room temperature to a temperature beyond the melting point. The DSC scans of l Asn·H₂O samples in sealed crucibles revealed the presence of two dehydration processes and one of decomposition and only decomposition in the case of l Asn. The influence of gamma irradiation consisted in decreasing the enthalpy of dehydration and of decomposition. A decomposition mechanism is proposed.     

Die thermische Zersetzung von Bariumazid-Einkristallen, 5. Mitt.: Der Einfluß der Korngröße auf die thermische Zersetzung von Bariumazid

Decomposition studies on ground samples of anhydrous Ba(N₃)₂ with defined particle size are described. The kinetic equations derived for single crystals hold for the decomposition of powders too. The far faster decomposition of powders is caused both by the increased numberN ₀ of potential nuclei forming sites and the larger specific surfaceF ₀/V ₀, whereas the rate constantsk ₁ andk ₂ for nucleation and linear nucleus growth, resp., and their respective activation energies coincide with the data for single crystals. The proportionality between the rate of decomposition and the specific surface is confirmed experimentally and thereby a further proof of the geometric decomposition model is established. Independent of particle size and temperture always 75% of the azide are transformed into nitride during thermal decomposition, this value corresponding exactly to the theoretical one. It is shown experimentally that with decomposition conditions no reaction takes place between metallic Ba and N₂ in its electronic ground state and therefore the mechanism proposed for nitride formation is confirmed.     

Thermal stability of Ba1-xCaxF2 solid solutions

Ba_1-xCa_xF₂ samples with fluorite-type structure were prepared by high-energy ball milling. DSC measurements revealed exothermic decomposition at temperatures of about 450 °C. Decomposition was also observed by high temperature X-ray experiments. As a product, two phases with compositions close to pure BaF₂ and CaF₂ were obtained. The decomposition temperature observed by X-ray measurements is lower than in the DSC experiments. This might indicate that X-ray irradiation could foster the decomposition.     

Characterization of light and heavy hydrated magnesium carbonates using thermal analysis

Upon heating, hydrated magnesium carbonates (HMCs) undergo a continuous sequence of decomposition reactions. This study aims to investigate the thermal decomposition of various commercially produced HMCs classified as light and heavy, highlight their differences, and provide an insight into their compositions in accordance with the results obtained from thermal analysis and microstructure studies. An understanding of the chemical compositions and microstructures, and a better knowledge of the reactions that take place during the decomposition of HMCs were achieved through the use of SEM, XRD, and TG/differential thermal analysis (DTA). The quantification of their CO₂ contents was provided by TG and dissolving the samples in HCl acid. Results show that variations exist within the microstructure and decomposition patterns of the two groups of HMCs, which do not exactly fit into the fixed stoichiometry of the known HMCs in the MgO–CO₂–H₂O system. The occurrence of an exothermic DTA peak was only observed for the heavy HMCs, which was attributed to their high CO₂ contents and the relatively delayed decomposition pattern.     

Comparitive study of the sample decomposition procedures in the determination of trace and rare earth elements in anorthosites and related rocks by ICP-MS

ICP-MS has been used for the determination of over 30 geochemically significant trace elements (Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Cs, Ba, Hf, Ta, Pb, Th, U and REEs) in anorthosites and related rock reference samples. Open acid digestion, pressure decomposition using HF, HNO₃ and HClO₄, and a fusion method using lithium metaborate and subsequent dissolution in dil. HNO₃ were adopted for the decomposition of these rock samples before analysis. The dissolution problems and interference effects are discussed. Rh and Bi were used as internal standards. The first set of data on several rare earths and other trace elements in the Russian anorthosite reference sample, MO-6 are presented along with data on other samples. The data are compared with the available data. The results obtained with different dissolution methods were found to be in good agreement for the majority of the trace elements. The accuracy and precision achieved (better than 6% RSD in most cases) suggested that the data obtained by ICP-MS for such samples are best suited for geochemical interpretations.     

Thermal decomposition of cadmium peroxotitanate to CdTiO3

TG, DTA and DSC curves of Cd₂[Ti₂(O₂)₂O(OH)₆]·H₂O were recorded and used to determine the isothermal conditions suitable for obtaining the intermediate samples corresponding to the phases observed during the thermal decomposition. The samples were identified by quantitative analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. The experimental results were used to propose a mechanism of thermal decomposition of the investigated compound to CdTiO₃. The optimum conditions were also determined for obtaining CdTiO₃ with well-defined crystallinity.     

Kinetics of free-surface decomposition of dolomite single crystals and powders analyzed thermogravimetrically by the third-law method

The results of our thermogravimetric experiments on the decompositions of dolomite crystals and powders and some data reported in the literature were used for the determination of the E parameter of the Arrhenius equation by the third-law method and estimation of the self-cooling effect on the results of these determinations. The experimental values of the E parameters, obtained under different conditions by the third-law method, are in excellent agreement with the theoretically predicted values based on the mechanism of congruent decomposition of CaMg(CO₃)₂ into gaseous CO₂, CaO and MgO with the simultaneous condensation of low-volatility CaO and MgO molecules. The second important result of this study is the first quantitative comparison of absolute rates of decomposition of powder samples and single crystals. Based on these results, a simple procedure was proposed for the determination of the E parameter by the third-law method from the data obtained for powder samples. It consists in the evaluation of the absolute decomposition rate of a powder sample (reduced to the unit of the outer surface area of a pellet formed by the powder sample in a cylindrical crucible). The value received is lowered by the empirical factor and then used for the calculation of the E parameter by the third-law method. The value of this factor (2.8±0.4) does not depend on the temperature, residual pressure of air in the reactor, grain size and mass of a powder sample. This procedure permits to expand the application of the third-law method to the determination of decomposition kinetics for many solids available only in the powder form.     

Melting behaviour and evolved gas analysis of xylose

Two enantiomeric forms of xylose were identified as α-D-xylopyranose and α-L-xylopyranose by powder diffraction. Their melting behaviour was studied with conventional DSC and StepScan DSC method, the decomposition was studied with TG and evolved gases were analyzed with combined TG-FTIR technique. The measurements were performed at different heating rates. The decomposition of xylose samples took place in four steps and the main evolved gases were H₂O, CO₂ and furans. The initial temperature of TG measurements and the onset and peak temperatures of DSC measurements were moved to higher temperatures as heating rates were increased. The decomposition of L-xylose started at slightly higher temperatures than that of D-xylose and L-xylose melted at higher temperatures than D-xylose. The differences were more obvious at low heating rates. There were also differences in the melting temperatures among different samples of the same sugar. The StepScan measurements showed that the kinetic part of melting was considerable. The melting of xylose was anomalous because, besides the melting, also partial thermal decomposition and mutarotation occurred. The melting points are affected by both the method of determination and the origin and quality of samples. Melting point analysis with a standardized method appears to be a good measure of the quality of crystalline xylose. However, the melting point alone cannot be used for the identification of xylose samples in all cases.     

Infrared multiphotonic excitation and the cell geometry problem: case of CH3Br and SF6

Gas samples of CH₃Br and SF₆ were irradiated by a focused CO₂ laser beam. Three cells with different sizes were used. With CH₃Br, fluorescence and decomposition were observed which depended upon the cell's dimensions. With SF₆ we always obtained decomposition and enrichment in ³⁴S by irradiation with the P(16) line.     

Decomposition study of Ni–La–Mg–O precursors using thermal analysis

The thermal decomposition process of La₂O₃/MgO (La/Mg = 2, 1 and 0.5) supported nickel (15% mass/mass Ni) precursor was investigated. Thermal analysis results show distinct processes of decomposition of the samples in accordance with the composition. The mass loss at higher temperature is associated to distinct stages of decomposition of lanthanum precursors. The thermal analysis results agree with the FTIR spectra showing change in the band corresponding to carbonates and nitrates species. XRD results also confirmed the precursor’s decomposition. It can be concluded that the thermal decomposition of La₂O₃–MgO-nickel precursor depends on the La/Mg ratio and of the residual species.     

Studies on thermal decomposition and oxidation of CoSb<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Thermal durability of CoSb₃ in vacuum, helium and air was investigated over the temperature range of 20–850 °C. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction technique were used to investigate the microstructure and to carry out the phase analysis of the degradation products. The analysis of a non-isothermal and isothermal decomposition and oxidation of the CoSb₃ powders and polycrystalline samples were performed using simultaneous TG/DTA technique. More detailed studies were carried out on the oxidation in the temperature range 400–600 °C. It was established that the decomposition products are CoSb₂ and a volatile antimony. In case of oxidation a complex three-layered scale is formed, consisting of CoSb₂O₄, CoSb₂O₆ and Sb₂O₄ layers. Both the decomposition and the oxidation kinetics are determined by a diffusion through the growing layers of products. The electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements have been also performed on pure and oxidized samples, which showed a large influence of the oxidation on the electrical properties.     

Characteristics of a novel UV-TiO2-microwave integrated irradiation device in decomposition processes

The efficiency of oxidation in wet decomposition procedures for organic materials can be of great importance to the quality of the analytical data from various measurement techniques. A novel, microwave-assisted, high-temperature/high-pressure UV-TiO₂ digestion procedure was developed for the accelerated decomposition of various biological samples. The technique is based on a closed, pressurized, microwave digestion apparatus (MW). UV irradiation is generated by immersed electrodeless Cd discharge lamp operated by the focused microwave field in the single polymer vessel. To enhance oxidation efficiency, a photocatalyst TiO₂ was added to the microwave heated Teflon bomb. Measures of digestion completeness were provided by the appearance of carbon content and determination of trace and minor elements, enabling a comparison of different digestion procedures and sample types. Compared with other digestion systems, unusually low residual carbon contents were obtained. For the organic compounds and biological samples digested, the residual carbon content was 1-2%, corresponding to a decomposition efficiency of 98-99%. The potential of the MW-UV-TiO₂ system was illustrated by the decomposition of four certified reference materials (serum, urine, milk, arsenobetaine solution) and subsequent determination of trace and minor elements. Recoveries between 92% and 107% were found.     

Thermal study of unaltered and altered dolomitic rock samples from ancient monuments

In this study, the decomposition behaviour of unaltered and altered dolomitic rock samples used in Cultural Heritage buildings was studied by simultaneous TG–DTA experiments at different atmospheres, X-ray diffraction in a high-temperature chamber, and evolved gas analysis. The components of dolomite rock samples and hydrated calcium oxalate formed during the alteration processes of the rocks were characterized, and the decomposition mechanisms of these components were determined. The TG–DTA experiments carried out at CO₂ atmosphere were used to determine the carbonate compounds in the rock samples. The TG–DTA study characterized the presence of organic compounds formed during the biological degradation of the rock samples, possibly responsible of the hydrated calcium oxalate formation.