Differential Thermal Analysis Studies on Ag2CO3
The decomposition and phase transitions that occur during the heating and cooling of Ag2CO3 were studied by differential thermal analysis at heating rates of 7 to 14° per min. In helium, the Ag2CO3 was partially decomposed evolving CO2 (7–35% depending upon the method of preparation) giving rise to peaks at 190 to 200°; at 350 to 400°, two endothermic peaks were observed at which CO2 and O2 were given off simultaneously, leaving silver metal. In CO2 the initial partial decomposition gave rise to a peak at about 265°. The partially decomposed Ag2CO3 (Ag2O•nCO2, where n is less than one) gave the same X-ray diffraction pattern as Ag2O, which slowly converted to that for Ag2CO3 if left exposed to air or CO2. The Ag2O•nCO2 undergoes two distinct "reversible" phase transitions at 180 and 197° on subsequent reheatings. The Ag2O•nCO2 behaves like a clathrate-type of structure in which CO2 can be entrapped in the Ag2O lattice.