Kinetic approach to multistep thermal behavior of Ag 2 CO 3 –graphite mixtures: Possible formation of intermediate solids with Ag 2 O–Ag and Ag 2 CO 3 –Ag core–shell structures

This study aimed to investigate the contribution of carbothermal reduction to the overall thermal decomposition process of different Ag 2 CO 3 samples in Ag 2 CO 3 –graphite mixtures and the possible formation of Ag 2 O–Ag and Ag 2 CO 3 –Ag core–shell structures as intermediate compounds. Distinguishable contribution of the carbothermal reduction process was observed during the second mass loss process of the thermal decomposition. The second mass loss process was characterized by two partially overlapping reaction steps: (i) the carbothermal reduction of surface Ag 2 O; and (ii) subsequent thermal decomposition of bulk Ag 2 O or Ag 2 CO 3 . The overlapping features of the carbothermal reduction and thermal decomposition processes were analyzed via the kinetic deconvolution analysis. The present results provide us with fundamental information for preparing possible functional Ag compound materials with Ag 2 O–Ag and Ag 2 CO 3 –Ag core–shell structures in a controlled manner during the thermal decomposition of Ag 2 CO 3 .