Thermal decomposition of ZnC2O4 in helium atmosphere in isothermal and non-isothermal conditions was studied. Decomposition of ZnC2O4 is a single-stage reaction with ZnO as final product. The kinetics of reaction is described in terms of the Avrami-Erofeev equation with n approximate to 2 both for non-isothermal and isothermal measurements. The activation energy of ZnC2O4 decomposition is 181.4-186.5 and 190.8 kJ mol(-1) for non-isothermal and isothermal conditions, respectively. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.