Effect of Particle Size on Non-Isothermal Decomposition of Potassium Titanium Oxalate

Abstract

Abstract The effect of particle size on the thermal decomposition of potassium titanium oxalate (PTO) has been studied using TG-DTA-DTG techniques in nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates. The thermal decomposition of PTO undergoes through five stages, finally forming the stable potassium titanate. The theoretical mass loss data agree very well with experimental data for all stages of the thermal decomposition of PTO. The third thermal decomposition stage of PTO, the combined elimination of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, were subjected to kinetic analyses by a model free method, which is based on the isoconversional principle. We observed that both the onset and peak temperatures in DTA and DTG and the apparent activation energy are independent of particle size. The kinetic results indicate that the third thermal decomposition stage of PTO, the combined elimination of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, undergoes through a single step.