Reduction specifics of rare-earth orthovanadates (REE = La,Nd, Sm,Dy, Ho,Er, Tm,Yb, and Lu)

The reduction specifics of REE orthovanadates LnVO₄ (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) have been studied using the temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) method. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide were chosen as reducing agents. The reduction temperature is found to depend both on the REE and the reducing agent. REE orthovanadates are reduced in the range 1033–1153 K not forming phases that contain vanadium in intermediate oxidation states. In CO, the reduction temperature is found to be higher than in H₂ for all orthovanadates. TPR data have been used to calculate the activation energies of reduction of REE orthovanadates using the Kissinger equation. The effective activation energies of reduction depend on the REE and the reducing agent and are in the range 41–147 kJ/mol.