ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Effect of metals and Co₃O₄ on the thermal decomposition reaction of sodium chlorate in an area of refuge

Na Gao, Ya-qing Dai, Long-zhe Jin, Chun-guo Ma, Jian-guo Liu, Zhao Wang, and Kariman Kaeryaer

School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China

E-mail: dyq961207@163.com

Received: 15 November 2019  Accepted: 2 May 2020

Abstract:

Sodium chlorate (NaClO₃) is suitable for use in an area of refuge as the backup chemical oxygen source. To explore the catalytic mechanism of metals and Co₃O₄ on NaClO₃, the addition amount was studied. In this research, 18 samples were prepared by adding different concentrations of Fe, Mg, and Mn (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) with Co₃O₄ (2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, and 6%), and some thermogravimetric experiments were conducted. The results show that the initial decomposition temperature of NaClO₃ is reduced from 522 to 255–270 °C by Co₃O₄. There are two stages in the decomposition process of NaClO₃ under the catalytic effect of Co₃O₄. The catalytic effect of 5% Co₃O₄ on NaClO₃ decomposition is the greatest among the tested amounts. In addition, the proportion of metals has little effect on the initial decomposition temperature of NaClO₃ when 5% Co₃O₄ is added, but NaClO₃ has better oxygen performance when the mass fraction of metals is 4–8%. The highly active Mg destabilizes the decomposition of NaClO₃, and Mn is more suitable than Mg/Fe for addition into NaClO₃. The above conclusions help improve the oxygen supply application of NaClO₃ in an area of refuge.

Keywords: Thermogravimetric analysis; Chemical oxygen supply; NaClO3; Metal; Co3O4

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-020-01186-2

Chemical Papers 74 (10) 3475–3480 (2020)