Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal decomposition kinetics of yttrium propionate

Yttrium propionate, Y-2(CH3CH2COO)(6)center dot xH(2)O, has been used as a precursor in the preparation of Y2O3 and YBa2Cu3O7-x thin films. The molecular structure of this precursor was determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals, in good agreement with the formula calculated from the thermogravimetric analysis data. The molecular structure consists of a bimetallic complex with two Y atoms linked by two propionate groups in a bridging bimetallic tridentate fashion, and each metal bearing an extra two monometallic bidentate propionate ligands. The thermal decomposition was studied using the thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis and mass spectrometry (TG-DTA-MS), in inert atmosphere. The influence of the different heating rates, such as 5, 7.5, 10, 15 and 20 degrees C/min on the thermal behaviour of yttrium propionate was investigated. The X-ray diffraction pattern on the precursor powder heat treated under nitrogen has shown that the final decomposition product of [Y-2(CH3CH2COO)(6)center dot 4H(2)O]center dot H2O is Y2O3. The activation energy, as a kinetic parameter, was determined by using both Kissinger and Friedman methods for the decomposition process. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.