Thermal decomposition of citric acid

The thermal decomposition of citric acid is studied by thermogravimetry (TG) derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques under various conditions. The thermal decomposition reactions of the acid are influenced by its particle size and the different heating rates used. Data obtained from the thermal curves were employed for mechanistic and kinetic studies using computer programs and manual computations. The decomposition follows the Jander diffusion mechanism and is of first order with an activation energy of $̃200 k J mol−1.