Heterogeneous and homogeneous thermal decomposition of nickel carbonyl

Abstract

1. In an investigation into the decomposition of nickel carbonyl, it was established that, at low temperatures (70–150°C), the rate of heterogeneous decomposition is much higher than that of homogeneous decomposition. With rise in temperature, the rate of homogeneous decomposition increases. 2. At temperatures of 70–100°C, the temperature dependence of reaction rate is typical of the kinetics of chemical reactions, and the rate of reaction governs the rate of decomposition. 3. The rate of decomposition is directly proportional to the concentration of nickel carbonyl, which indicates that the reaction is of the first order. 4. The energy of activation for the heterogeneous decomposition of nickel carbonyl was calculated and found to be 14.8 kcal/mole.