Thermal stabilities of americium and cerium tetrafluorides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-5088(88)90356-6

The thermal stabilities of americium and cerium tetrafluorides were determined by mass spectrometry, monitoring their gaseous vaporization and/or decomposition products as a function of temperature. For americium tetrafluoride, the dominant high temperature (less than or equal to 700°C) process is thermal decomposition to the trifluoride. In contrast, with cerium tetrafluoride, the most prominent process at high temperature (less than or equal to 850°C) is congruent sublimation. The results of these studies are interpreted in terms of the relevant thermodynamic parameters for each process and are compared with predictions and results which have been reported in the literature.