Kinetic analysis of complex decomposition reactions using evolved gas analysis

For complex decomposition reactions, traditional methods, such as TG and DSC cannot fully resolve all of the steps in the reaction. Evolved gas analysis (EGA) offers another tool to provide more information about the decomposition mechanism. The decomposition of sodium bicarbonate was studied by TG, DSC and EGA using a simultaneous thermal analysis unit coupled to a FTIR. The decomposition of sodium bicarbonate involves two reaction products H 2 O and CO 2 , which are not evident from either TG or DSC measurements alone. A comparison of the reaction kinetics from TG, DTG and EGA data were compared.