Decomposition of Cd(CH3COO)2 · 2H2O and creation of reactive solid surfaces - a spectrothermal investigation

The thermal decomposition course of cadmium acetate dihydrate (CdAc) was examined, on heating to 773 K at various rates (5–30 K min⁻¹) by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, and temperature shifts experienced by the events encountered as a function of the heating rate were employed in determining corresponding non-isothermal kinetic parameters (k, A and ΔE). Gas- and solid-phase products were identified by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The results obtained showed CdAc to dehydrate at 360–423 K, and then decompose at 508–560 K giving CdO, and (CH₃)CO and CO₂ into the gas phase, encompassing two melting processes at 345 and 500 K. Other gas-phase products of CH₃COOH, CO, CH₄ and (CH₃)₂CHCH₂ were also detected, however in minor proportions, and ascribed to reactions occurring at the gas-solid interface at the expense of some of the initial products. These results were found in good agreement with the results of previous investigations of metal acetates.