Thermal decomposition of basic cobalt and copper carbonates

Basic cobalt and copper carbonates were prepared by precipitation from solutions of their nitrates using KHCO₃ at room temperature in CO₂ atmosphere. The thermal decomposition of the prepared basic carbonates was studied by means of TG and DTA techniques and the phases produced were identified by XRD measurements. The products obtained at 400C were subjected to different doses of gamma-rays (40–160 M rad) and the thermal stabilities of these solids were investigated.The results obtained revealed that basic cobalt carbonate decomposed at 335C to produce Co₃O₄ which remained stable up to 850 and then decomposed above this temperature giving CoO which transformed into Co₃O₄ on cooling to room temperature. Basic copper carbonate dissociated at 290C yielding CuO which yielded Cu₂O and metallic copper at 1060 and 1150C, respectively. However, the produced cuprous oxide and metallic copper solids were converted into CuO and CU₂O, respectively by cooling in air to room temperature.Gamma-irradiation decreased the thermal stability of Co₃O₄ to an extent proportional to the dose employed. On the other hand, this treatment increased the thermal stability of both CuO and Cu₂O.