Studies on the decomposition of N₂O on the solid solution La₂Cu_{1 - x}Ni_xO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

A series of solid-solution members having the formula La₂Cu_{1 - x}Ni_xO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been synthesized and characterized using X-ray, electrical, and magnetic measurements. Decomposition of nitrous oxide has been carried out on these compounds at two different initial pressures, namely 50 and 200 Torr, in the temperature range 350-480 °C. The observed irregular trends in the kinetics of decomposition on the solid-solution series have been interpreted on the basis of a solid-state polaron hopping mechanism. Physicochemical correlations observed between activity and frequency factor as also magnetic ordering have also been explained in light of the above mechanism.