Abstract: In order to study the effect of trace copper ions (Cu2+) on the thermal decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), adiabatic accelerated calorimetry (ARC) was used to test the adiabatic decomposition of CHP and CHP containing two different concentrations of Cu2+. The effects of different concentrations of Cu2+ on the thermodynamic parameters and decomposition activation energy (Ea) of CHP initial decomposition temperature (To), maximum decomposition temperature (Tf), adiabatic temperature rise (△Tad), maximum temperature rise rate (mm), and the experimental data was corrected using the thermal inertia factor (Φ). The results show that the addition of trace Cu2+ has an effect on the thermodynamic parameters of CHP decomposition, and the effects of different concentrations are different. For example, the corrected initial decomposition temperature (To, s) and Ea of CHP are 111.28 ℃ and 170.93 kJ·mol-1, after adding (1.85×10-3)% or (3.70×10-3)% Cu2+. The corresponding parameters are 104.26 ℃, 164.73 kJ·mol-1 and 98.87 ℃, and 145.63 kJ·mol-1. It is indicated that the presence of trace Cu2+ can reduce the initial decomposition temperature To,s and activation energy Ea of CHP, and the higher the concentration, the more obvious the decrease, thus increasing the thermal decomposition risk of CHP.

Key words: copper ion, cumene hydroperoxide, thermal stability, adiabatic accelerated calorimeter, thermal inertia factor