Stability of chromium (III) sulfate in atmospheres containing oxygen and sulfur

Abstract

The stability of chromium (III) sulfate in the temperature range from 880 to 1040 K was determined by employing a dynamic gas-solid equilibration technique. The solid chromium sulfate was equilibrated in a gas stream of controlled SO₃ potential. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses were used to follow the decomposition of chromium sulfate. Over the temperature range studied, the change in the Gibbs' free energy of formation of chromium sulfate Cr₂O₃(s) + 3SO₃(g) → Cr₂(SO₄)₃(s) can be expressed as ΔG° = -143,078 + 129.6T (±300) cal mole^-1 ΔG° = -598,350 + 542T ( ± 1250) J mole^-1. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the decomposition product was crystalline Cr₂O₃ and that the mutual solubility between Cr₂(SO₄)₃ and Cr₂O₃ was negligible. Over the temperature range investigated, the decomposition pressures were significantly high so that chromium sulfate is not expected to form on commercial alloys containing chromium when exposed to gaseous environments containing oxygen and sulfur (such as those encountered in coal gasification).