Thermal, infrared and X-ray studies on praseodymium and neodymium myristates

The thermal decomposition of praseodymium and neodymium myristates has been studied both as a function of temperature and of time. The thermogravimetric analysis has shown that order of decomposition reaction is kinetically of zero order and the energy of activation for the decomposition process lies in the range of 10-15 kcal mol-1. The IR results showed that lanthanide myristates have an ionic character. The X-ray analysis indicated that the zigzag chains of the fatty acid radical constituent of the soap molecules extend straight forward on both sides of each basal plane and the molecular axes of the soap molecules are somewhat inclined to the basal plane. (author). 5 refs., 2 tabs