Investigation into process of thermal dehydration of rare earth dichromate decahydrates

Processes of thermal dehydration of Ln2(Cr2O7)3x10H2O where Ln=Sm-Er were studied by the methods of differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses. It was established that dichromate decahydrates of the mentioned rare earths form on heating a series of intermediate forms: Sm-Gd dichromates form penta-, tetra-, tri- and monhydrates; Dy dichromate forms penta-, tetra-, and monohydrates; Ho and Er dichromates - only pentahydrates. The complete dehydration takes place at temperatures of above 240eg C