Isothermal differential scanning calorimetry on an exothermic phenomenon during thermal decomposition of hydromagnesite 4 MgCO3 · Mg(OH)2 · 4 H2O

Abstract
An exothermic phenomenon and a simultaneous rapid evolution of a small amount of carbon dioxide at −500°C during thermal decomposition of hydromagnesite 4 MgCO3 · Mg(OH)2 · 4 H2O was studied by isothermal DSCTG in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. It was quantitatively confirmed that the exothermic phenomenon was due to crystallization of MgCO3 from the amorphous phase and that the evolution of carbon dioxide was due to decomposition of the MgCO3 by the heat of crystallization (⋍3.4 kcal mole−1.