FUNCTIONS OF BARIUM PEROXIDE IN SODIUM-CHLORATE CHEMICAL OXYGEN GENERATORS

Catalyzed decomposition of NaClO3 and the effects of BaO2 and Ba(OH)2.H2O on the decomposition are studied using thermal gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. BaO2 and Ba(OH)2.H2O are moderately active catalysts when used alone and inhibitors when used with the more active catalyst cobalt oxide for NaClO3 decomposition. The smoothing effect of BaO2 on NaClO3 decomposition is explained, and the mechanism of chlorine suppressing during NaClO3 decomposition is discussed.