The catalytic effect of iron(III) oxide, α-Fe2O3, upon the thermal decomposition of antimony(III) oxychloride, SbOCl.

The thermal decomposition of antimony(III) oxychloride, SbOCl, has been studied by DSC complimented by TG,XRD and classical analytical methods. The system was seen to satisfy the conditions of the Kissinger equation (ref.1) a modification of which (ref.2) was employed to calculate the Arrhenius parameters for the decomposition leading to Sb4O5Cl2. The presence of α-Fe2O3 in admixture, was found to lower the decomposition temperature. Application of an equation based upon the Kissinger model demonstrated the catalytic role of α-Fe2O3. Lowering of the decomposition temperature was accompanied by a decrease in the calculated Arrhenius activation energy.