Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Bicarbonate

Article

Authorship

RESENTERA BEIZA, ALEXANDER CRISTIAN JESÚS ; Gómez, Sofía ; RODRIGUEZ, MARIO HUMBERTO ; COZZARIN, MELINA VANESA

Date

2025

Publishing House and Editing Place

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Magazine

INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMICAL RESEARCH, vol. 64 (pp. 21404-21411) - ISSN 0888-5885
AMER CHEMICAL SOC

ISSN

0888-5885

Summary Information provided by the agent in SIGEVA

The thermal decomposition of ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) is relevant in numerous industrial and technological applications due to its ability to release gaseous products without leaving solid residues. This work presents a comprehensive kinetic and morphological study of its decomposition using non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and complementary characterization techniques. Multiple heating programs were analyzed using the Friedman isoconversional method and combined kin... The thermal decomposition of ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) is relevant in numerous industrial and technological applications due to its ability to release gaseous products without leaving solid residues. This work presents a comprehensive kinetic and morphological study of its decomposition using non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and complementary characterization techniques. Multiple heating programs were analyzed using the Friedman isoconversional method and combined kinetic analysis to build a predictive kinetic model. The results indicate that decomposition proceeds from ~75°C through a single endothermic step, releasing NH3, CO2, and H2O. The kinetic parameters obtained were an apparent activation energy of 101?kJ/mol and a ln?(A/s^(-1)) = 28.1. The optimized truncated Šesták–Berggren kinetic model, (1-?)^0.54 ?^0.17, suggests a mechanism dominated by nucleation and growth. Scanning electron microscopy of partially decomposed particles confirmed the morphological evolution consistent with the proposed kinetic pathway. The verified model accurately reproduced experimental results and successfully predicted decomposition behavior under conditions beyond the experimental range, demonstrating its robustness and potential usefulness for industrial use.