Thermal decomposition of ammonium copper chromate: effect of the addition of barium

Abstract

The influence of the addition of barium (as barium chromate) to ammonium copper chromate on its thermal decomposition has been investigated by TG, DTG and DTA in the temperature range 303–1273 K. The solid products formed in the decomposition at different temperatures were characterised by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and also by measuring their specific surface area. The addition of BaCrO 4 at different concentrations (0–19.8%) was found not to change the general trend in the decomposition of ammonium copper chromate (which occurs in four distinct steps), except small changes in the temperature corresponding to DTG and DTA peaks. However, the sintering (or crystal growth) of the solid product is largely reduced by the presence of BaCrO 4.