Abstract.

Catalyst precursor of Cu-Mg mixture prepared by co-precipitation method. These methods can be used to determine of the chemical steps of the thermal decomposition of precursor calcination process. The precursors formed from the reaction between Cu nitrate and sodium carbonates are predicted to form malachite compounds. While the precursors produced from the reaction of Mg nitrate with sodium carbonate are hydromagnesite compounds. After being washed, filtered and dried the catalyst precursor is then decomposed thermally. The thermal decomposition of Cu-Mg catalyst precursor at temperature range 30-350oC has been investigated by thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis at a heating rate of 5°C min-1 under nitrogen. Precursors can be Decomposition of malachite precursors occurs in one step to CuO by releasing CO2 and H2O. While the hydromagnesite precursors decomposed into MgO in three stages. The mechanism of decomposition of precursor mixture is predicted to follow the behavior of individual precursors.