Preparation of NiO through NaNO3-KNO3 eutectic melt and its catalytic activity during the decomposition of polystyrene

The decomposition of basic nickel carbonate in the presence and absence of NaNO3 sodium nitrate)-KNO3 (potassium nitrate) eutectic melt has been studi ed by employing isothermal TG and dynamic TG-DSC techniques. The rate const ants for the decomposition in the presence of eutectic melt were found to b e higher than when carbonate alone was heated. In both cases, nickel oxide was found to be the end product. Catalytic activities of nickel oxide obtai ned by the two methods were tested for their efficiency in decomposition of polystyrene (PS). It was found that at higher temperature (330 and 360 deg reesC), the nickel oxide obtained from eutectic melt was more active than t hat obtained by direct decomposition. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.