The influence of catalysis and gamma radiation on the solid state decomposition of potassium dichromate

The influence of sulphide and oxide catalysts of Zn and Cd on the thermal decomposition of potassium dichromate has been studied over the temperature range 330-3600C. Catalytic induced decomposition is characterized by acceleration and decay. The solid state reactivity of dichromate with the sulphides is greater than that with the oxides. The order of decomposition is CdS > ZnS and CdO > ZnO. The role of gamma radiation leads to poisoning of the catalytic centres and is responsible for the delayed thermal decomposition. (orig.)