THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF CURIUM TETRAFLUORIDE AND TERBIUM TETRAFLUORIDE.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-4596(88)90140-5

The thermal decompositions of both curium and terbium tetrafluorides have been studied using mass spectrometry to monitor the effusate from a Knudsen cell containing the condensed fluoride. Curium tetrafluoride was found to decompose at 330-430 degree C in vacuum. A Second Law enthalpy of 26. 3 plus or minus 2 kcal/mole (at 370 degree C) is derived from van't Hoff plots of results obtained for the decomposition reaction. Decomposition fluorine pressures are derived and comparison is made with related studies of terbium tetrafluoride carried out in conjunction with the curium experiments. The results are compared both with data reported in the literature for lanthanide and actinide tetrafluorides and with predictions that have been made for CmF//4.