GASOMETRIC STUDY OF DECOMPOSITION OF BARIUM OXALATE AND THE INFLUENCEOF GD2O3 THEREON

The catalytic activity Of the rare earth oxide (REO), Gd2O3 on the iso thermal decomposition of barium oxalate to carbonate has been studied gasometrically in the temperature range, 713-743 K. Gadolinium sesquio xide being strongly basic in nature, enhances the decomposition proces s but does not alter the mechanism of the reaction. Analysis of the da ta indicates that the two dimensional phase boundary reaction model gi ves the best fit of the results. The plausible mechanism of decomposit ion and the effect of admixture on the process have been discussed in the light of electron transfer mechanism.