Thermodynamic Properties of Cerium Oxalate and Cerium Oxide

Abstract

Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry were used to determine the thermodynamic properties of cerium oxalate. Hydrated cerium oxalate was found to contain 13 molecules of water and decomposed producing three thermal events corresponding to the loss of adsorbed water, water of hydration, and decomposition of anhydrous cerium oxalate to cerium oxide. Anhydrous cerium oxalate obeyed first‐order reaction kinetics where ‐In(1‐a)=kt. Reaction rates, heat capacities, and equations for the heat capacities are given.