Preparation, characterization, and kinetics of thermolysis of nickel and copper nitrate complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine ligand

Nickel and copper nitrate complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) as a N donor and nitrate and water as oxygen donor ligands of the general formula [M(NO3)(C10H8N2)(H2O)3](NO3), where M = Ni and Cu, have been obtained from the corresponding metal nitrate salts. These complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography, FT-IR, and CHN analysis. Both the complexes have been found to be six coordinated. Their thermal decomposition behaviour was investigated by TG, DTA, and ignition delay measurements. TG–DTA examinations of these complexes revealed multistep thermal decomposition. The corresponding metal oxide residues obtained after thermolysis were identified from their X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD). Kinetics of isothermal decomposition of the complexes was established from both the model-fitting as well as isoconversional methods.