Thermoanalytical and X-ray Studies of Rapidly Solidified K2CO3

Molten K₂CO₃ was rapidly solidified, and investigatcd using DSC, X-ray analysis and infrared spectra. All thermoanalytical investigations have been carried out in the temperature interval from 20 to 450 °C. The sorption of water by the anhydrous potassium carbonate is the reason for appearance of K₂CO₃ · 1.5 H₂O in the specimens. The desorption processes occur in two stages usually. The enthalpics of desorption were estimated to be about 23000 J/mol. The polymorphic phase transitions of K₂CO₃ were studied and compared with literature data.