Reactions between solids. Part VI. Kinetics and mechanism of the vanadium pentoxide catalysed oxidation of graphite by potassium perchlorate in the solid state

Abstract

The rates of the vanadium pentoxide catalysed oxidation of graphite by potassium perchlorate in the solid state depend on the total amount of the perchlorate present in the system, even if additional layers of oxidant are added on top of the oxidant which is actually in contact with the substrate. A mechanism involving an equilibrium of a mobile, active oxidant with the potassium perchlorate is proposed, based on experiments in layered (“sandwich”) tablets, as well as on results obtained with K³⁶ClO₄ and also on kinetic measurements.