Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of gamma-irradiated cobaltous acetate

Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of un-irradiated (pristine) and pre-g amma -irradiated dehydrated cobaltous acetate was studied within the temper ature range (538-563 K) and in air using isothermal and dynamics thermograv imetric techniques. The data were analyzed using various solid state reacti on models. Integral method using Coat-Redfon equation was applied in dynami c data analysis. The results showed that the kinetic of isothermal decompos ition for acceleratory stage was governed by diffusion-controlled process w hile in non-isothermal (dynamic) decomposition the kinetic was controlled b y phase boundary process. The activation energies for pristine and pre-irra diated samples were calculated and the results of the isothermal and dynami c decomposition integral methods were compared and discussed. The change in texture and crystal structure of the investigated cobaltous acetate by gam ma -irradiation was studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray di ffraction technique. Thermodynamic values of the main decomposition process were calculated and evaluated. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.