THE CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF METAL OXIDES ON THERMAL DECOMPOSITION REACTIONS.

The effects of a selected series of solid metal oxides on the catalysis of the thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate were investigated. The kinetics and rate parameters of the catalyzed decomposition reactions were studied and compared to the rate parameters observed in the absence of the solid oxides. Two oxides were selected for more precisely correlating the relationships between the electronic defect structure of the oxides and their catalytic behavior. The oxides investigated from this point of view were ferric oxide and magnesium oxide. These oxides were doped with selected altervalent cation impurities, and heat treated at temperatures ranging from 700 to 1000 degrees C in oxygen and inert gas environment in order to introduce electronic defects. In addition, changes in catalytic activity in relationship to electronic changes as a result of exposure to Cobalt 60 gamma rays were investigated. The changes in semiconducting properties were studied and the results correlated with the changes in catalytic activity. A mechanism of decomposition of potassium chlorate is discussed as well as a proposed mechanism for the interaction of sulfur and potassium chlorate. Author