High-Temperature Oxidation Of Platinum Metals

The high-temperature oxidation of Pt metals results' in the formation of volatile oxides. The evaporation of which considerably increases the metal losses in oxygen-containing atmospheres when compared with high-vacuum or inert-atomosphere conditions. The paper describes gravimetric investigations carried out to determine the metal losses of polycrystalline samples of Ru, together with earlier studies on Ir and Pt at oxygen pressures of 10-3 to 1000 mbar and temperatures > 1000 °C. A strong pressure and temperature dependence is noted. Preliminary results of the oxidation of Pd are reported, too (665 mbar 02, 1100-1300 °C). The oxidation mechanism is discussed and the oxidation rates of Ru, Pd, Ir and Pt are compared with those of the other Pt metals Rh and 0s and of refractory metals.