Nickel oxide reduction under nonisothermal conditions

The interaction of nickel(II) oxide with carbon, polyethylene, and polystyrene in the temperature range 20–1000°C has been investigated by thermal analysis. The interaction of NiO with carbon and polyethylene under these conditions results in complete nickel reduction. In the case of polystyrene, because of its low decomposition temperature, the reduction process is incomplete. As compared to reduction with polyethylene, reduction with carbon takes place at a much higher temperature (750 versus 370°C) and requires a higher activation energy (68 ± 3 versus 41 ± 1 kcal/mol).