Abstract
The thermal decomposition of terbium (III) acetate tetrahydrate was studied by means of TG, DTA, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography and chemical analysis. The dehydration begins at 60°C, and the course of dehydration completes at 180°C. One unknown lower hydrate is produced in the process of the dehydration. It is supposed that the unknown hydrate may be a O.5 hydrate. The anhydrous terbium (III) acetate demposes in the temperature range of 220-650°C to terbium (III) oxide, passing through two intermediate compounds. Presumably new intermediate compounds have compositions of TbOCH3COO and Tb2O2CO3, respectively.
