The activation energy for N diffusion in rare-earth compounds was determined by using the Kissinger method to analyze differential scanning calorimetric traces of the nitrogenated compounds. Out-gassing of N then began when the samples were heated at above 300C. The activation energy for diffusion was deduced from the heating-rate dependence of the endothermic peaks in the differential scanning calorimetric curves. Good agreement was found with values which had been determined by using other methods.

J.P.Liu, A.J.M.Winkelman, A.A.Menovsky, H.Bakker, F.R.De Boer, K.H.J.Buschow: Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 1995, 218[2], L15-8