Chlorination of samarium sesquioxide

The chlorination of samarium sesquioxide with gaseous chlorine was studied by thermogravimetry. The effects of both the total gas flow rate between 2.1 and 7.9 l h−1 (NTP) and temperature between 200 and 950 °C on the reaction rate were analyzed. Apparent activation energy values of 20-40, 129 ± 1 and 12 ± 7 kJ mol−1 corresponding to the 200-270, 270-350 and 350-950 °C temperature ranges were found. SmOCl (s) and O2 (g) were the reaction products. Solids involved on the reaction were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).