Thermal decomposition in the solid state

The foundation of solid state decomposition kinetics is based on the well known theory of nucleation and nucleus growth put forward by Jacobs and Tompkins. It has now been shown that all the kinetic equations thus derived can be represented by a general differential form: ������������������������� dα/dt = kα1-p(1-α)1-q in which α, t and k are respectively the fractional decomposition, time and rate constant; while p and q are parameters lying between zero and unity inclusively. A method has been suggested to find p and q experimentally, thereby enabling one to find the appropriate kinetic form for the chemical decomposition. The conventional method involves the testing of various existing equations to the decomposition data. Different equations are found to fit over different ranges of the decomposition curve so that it is difficult to decide which is the correct kinetic equation for a particular reaction. The present approach however eliminates this complication.