CATALYTIC EFFECTS OF METAL-OXIDES ON THE THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF SODIUM-CHLORATE

The thermal decomposition of NaClO3 in the presence of metal oxides wa s studied using thermogravimetric analysis. A number of metal oxides w ere prepared to have comparable surface areas, and their catalytic eff ects on NaClO3 decomposition were compared. It was found that the cata lytic activity depends on the electron configurations of the metal cat ions. Oxides containing metal cations with partially filled d-orbitals are all active catalysts for NaClO3 decomposition. Transition metal c ations with no d-electrons are moderately active. Metal oxides contain ing metal cations with completely filled d-orbitals or noble gas confi gurations have very little activity.