Thermal decomposition of praseodymium acetate as a precursor of praseodymium oxide catalyst

Thermal events encountered throughout the heat treatment of praseodymium acetate, Pr(CH3COO)3·H2O, were studied in nitrogen and air atmospheres. The samples calcined at the 300–700 °C temperature range were characterized using XRD, IR and N2 adsorption. Moreover, in situ electrical conductivity was employed to follow up the formation of the different decomposition intermediates. The results indicated that the anhydrous salt decomposes to the final product, PrO1.833, through the formation of the following intermediates: Pr(OH)(CH3COO)2, PrO(CH3COO) and Pr2O2(CO3). PrO1.833 formed at 500, 600, and 700 °C possesses a surface area of 17, 16 and 10 m2/g and crystallites size of 14, 17 and 30 nm, respectively.