RARE-EARTH-METAL OXIDES - FORMATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY - THERMOANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS REVIEW

This review provides a guide to the recent literature on the character ization of the decomposition routes of different precursors, especiall y carboxylates of rare earth metals (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, D y, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y and Th), and the formation of the final oxide products. it also discusses the effects of (1) the nature of precurso rs, i.e. acetate, oxalate, carbonates, etc., (2) the nature and stabil ity of the intermediates formed during decomposition, (3) the calcinat ion temperature and (4) the composition of the gas atmosphere, i.e. N- 2, H-2, O-2, air and vacuum, on the chemical composition, structure, t exture and catalytic activity of the generated oxides.