Single crystals of K(2)Ln(NO3)(5). 2H(2)O (KLnN) (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm)
were grown from aqueous solution. The thermogravimetric analysis and differ
ential thermal analysis curves of KLnN demonstrate that the processes of de
hydration, melting, irreversible phase transformation and decomposition of
NO3- take place in sequence in the heating processes (except KCN). There ar
e three stages in the decomposition of NO3- in KLnN (Ln = La, Nd, Sm) while
two in KLnN (Ln = Ce, Pr). K(2)Ln(NO3)(5) is formed at about 225 degrees C
by the reaction of KNO3 and Ln(NO3)(3). nH(2)O (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd). (C)
2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.