Investigation of thermal decomposition behavior of Cerium (III) Acetate Hydrate in argon and dry air atmosphere

The thermal decomposition behavior of Cerium (III) Acetate Hydrate, Ce(CH₃CO₂)₃1.5H₂O, was investigated by using in-situ High Temperature FTIR Spectroscopy (in N₂), High Temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) (in air) and TG/DTA - MS techniques (Ar and dry air). Thermal decomposition of Ce(CH₃CO₂)₃1.5H₂O to CeO₂, ceria, in argon occurred through several endothermic and exothermic reactions. Through these consecutive reactions, amorphous cerium anhydrous acetate formed above the dehydration temperature. Afterwards, crystallization of the anhydrous acetate took place with the increasing temperature and ceria formed in cubic phase as the final product. In dry air, the decomposition reaction is completed around 330°C and CeO₂ was formed as the final product. The difference between the two atmospheres was significant in between 250-550°C. The activation energy for the crystallization of cerium anhydrous acetate was determined as 244 kJ mol^-1 under non-isothermal conditions by using Kissinger equation.