Thermal decomposition of sodium amide

The thermal decomposition properties of sodium amide are investigated under different reaction conditions to understand the decomposition process. The results of thermal analyses by heating up to 300 °C shows exothermic reaction at 120 °C and two endothermic reactions at 150 and 200 °C with small amounts of nitrogen desorption, which would be originated in structural stabilization such as crystallization and phase transitions. Because the amide is not decomposed below 230 °C, thermal decomposition is performed at 400 °C with and without partial pressures of expected desorption gases. After the reaction under vacuum condition, metallic sodium and unknown phase are formed as products. From the structural characterization, the new phase would be identified to an imide-like material. In the other reaction conditions, sodium amide and hydride are found as solid products without the Na generation. And then, hydrogen, nitrogen, and ammonia are desorbed as gaseous products, suggesting that these partial pressures affect the reaction pathway.