THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF GAMMA-IRRADIATED CADMIUM BROMATE

The thermal decomposition of γ-irradiated cadmium bromate was studied by dynamic thermogravimetry. The reaction order, activation energy, frequency factor and entropy of activation were computed using the Coats-Redfern method and were compared with those of the unirradiated salt. Irradiation enhances the decomposition and the effect increases with irradiation dose. The activation energy decreases on irradiation. The mechanism for the decomposition of unirradiated and irradiated cadmium bromate follows the Avrami model equation, 1-/1-α/1/3=kt, and the ratecontrolling process is a phase-boundary reaction assuming spherical symmetry. © 1990 Akadémiai Kiadó.