Dynamic kinetic analyses were performed on Co(NIA)(2)(H2O)(4) (NIA: nicotinate (C5H4NCOOH)) using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements in air atmosphere. The thermal behavior and the kinetics of decomposition were studied. The effect of the heating rate on the thermal decomposition process was investigated. The Friedman method was applied to estimate the activation energy of decomposition. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.