Thermodynamics of the gaseous oxides of the platinum-group metals

The oxide species responsible for the enhanced volatility of platinum and rhodium in oxygen in the temperature range 1000 to 1600 °C have been elucidated, and the thermodynamics of their formation have been calculated from their vapour pressures, which were measured by means of the ‘transportation’ or ‘carrier gas’ technique. Similar, but incomplete, studies have been made on the metals ruthenium, iridium and palladium, and thermodynamic data have been calculated for the proposed oxide species.