ON THE THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF [FE2NIO(CH3COO)6(H2O)3].2H2O

The heteronuclear mu-oxoacetate with the composition [Fe2NiO(CH3COO)6(H2O)3]-.2H2O decomposed on heating, forming nickel ferrite NiFe2O4 and (depending on the decomposition conditions) in part other solid phases. H2O, CH3COOH, acetone and CO2 were also formed in the decomposition. A reaction scheme is given for the decomposition. The products were porous powders with grain diameters between 3 and 10-mu-m. On increase of the temperature of decomposition from 300 to 800-degrees-C, the BET surface area and the surface area of the pores decreased, but only a small alteration in grain size was observed. As a result of thermal treatment in the temperature region abone 800-degrees-C, larger aggregates of grains were formed in sintering processes.