Atomic fluorine in cobalt trifluoride thermolysis

The thermal decomposition of cobalt trifluoride was studied by High Temperature Mass Spectrometry (HTMS). It was ascertained that the rate of atomic fluorine evolution in the gas phase might be increased by adding small amounts of Ni(s) or CoF2(s) to cobalt trifluoride. Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) was used to determine the morphology and composition of the solid product surface layer formed under different rates of CoF3(s) thermolysis.

Graphical abstractPartial pressures P(F) and P(F2) are measured at CoF3(s) thermal decomposition. It was ascertained that P(F) is considerably increased by adding small amount of Ni(s) or CoF2(s) to CoF3(s), and the equilibrium between F and F2 is not attained at high rate of CoF3(s) thermolysis.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide