STUDIES ON THE DISSOCIATION OF CuO IN VACUUM BY HIGH TEMPERATURE X-RAY DIFFRACTOMETER.

Copper oxide is structurally stable when heated in air without any dissociation below 900 degree C. In the present communication, the nature of dissociation of CuO when heated under vacuum has been studied. The pure CuO sample was dispersed in a thin layer over the Pt-sample holder and the X-ray diffraction patterns were chart-recorded at temperature intervals of 100 degree C. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that CuO starts to dissociate when heated above 600 degree C. Above 1000 degree C, only the Cu//2O phase has been observed. The probable reaction path for the formation of Cu//2O has been explained from the crystal phase composition as intermediate products. Further, the formation of elemental copper has been elucidated in the present study.