CHARACTERIZATION AND THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF ZIRCONIUM(IV) SOAPS

Zirconium (IV) soaps of butyric, valeric and stearic acid were prepare d and characterised by infrared spectroscopy. Thermal decomposition wa s studied by dynamic thermogravimetry and differential thermometry in the temperature range of 200-800 degrees C. The order of decomposition was found to be zero for all soaps. The activation energies Delta E w ere found to be: 8.233, 8.620 and 7.181 kJ mol(-1) for butyrate, valer ate and stearate respectively. The frequency factor, Z, entropy change Delta S and free energy change Delta G were calculated and a probable decomposition mechanism proposed.