The foundation of solid
state decomposition kinetics is based on the well known theory of nucleation
and nucleus growth put forward by Jacobs and Tompkins. It has now been shown
that all the kinetic equations thus derived can be represented by a general differential
form:
������������������������� dα/dt
= kα1-p(1-α)1-q
in which α, t and k
are respectively the fractional decomposition, time and rate constant; while p
and q are parameters lying between zero and unity inclusively. A method has
been suggested to find p and q experimentally, thereby enabling one to find the
appropriate kinetic form for the chemical decomposition. The conventional
method involves the testing of various existing equations to the decomposition
data. Different equations are found to fit over different ranges of the decomposition
curve so that it is difficult to decide which is the correct kinetic equation
for a particular reaction. The present approach however eliminates this
complication.
