Studies on the synthesis and thermal decomposition mechanisms of rare-earth metal (Pr,Nd, Sm) salt hydrates of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one

Three new rare-earth metal (Pr, Nd and Sm) salt hydrates of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) were prepared and characterized. The thermal behaviour of the three salt hydrates, M(NTO)₃·nH₂O (M=Pr and Nd,n=9;M=Sm,n=8) were studied by means of TG and DSC under conditions of linear temperature increase. The thermal decomposition intermediates were determined by means of IR, MS and X-ray diffraction spectrometry. The thermal decomposition mechanisms of these hydrates were proposed as follows: We express our thanks to Professor Zhu Chunhua, Associate Professor Fu Xiayun, and Lecturers Fan Tao and Liang Yanjun for their help in this work.