Silver oxide (Ag2O) can be thermally decomposed in a process known as thermal decomposition. This process involves heating the silver oxide to temperatures between 400 and 600 degrees Celsius. To do this you will need a furnace crucible and heating source. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to thermally decompose silver oxide:
- Place the silver oxide in a crucible and place the crucible in the furnace.
- Heat the silver oxide to 400-600 degrees Celsius depending on the desired reaction outcome.
- Allow the silver oxide to heat for up to an hour depending on the amount of silver oxide being thermally decomposed.
- Once the silver oxide has reached the desired temperature turn off the heating source and allow the furnace to cool.
- Once the furnace has cooled remove the crucible and inspect the silver oxide. The silver oxide should now be in two parts: silver and oxygen.
Thermal decomposition of silver oxide is a relatively simple and safe process and can be used to create silver and oxygen from silver oxide.
