The thermal decomposition of oxalates. Part XII. The thermal decomposition of lithium oxalate

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of lithium oxalate has been studied by means of weight loss and measurement of surface area. It has been found possible to correlate changes in surface area with the kinetics of decomposition.

The reaction studied was the decomposition of the oxalate to the carbonate which occurs with an increase in the surface area, followed by extensive sintering. The reaction kinetics were found to follow a phase boundary mechanism up to 95% reaction. Above this a unimolecular decay law held. An Arrhenius activation energy of 223 ± 13 kJ mol^–1(53 ± 3 kcal mol^–1) was found over the complete range of the decomposition.