The effect of additives (CuO, MnO2 and TiO2) on the thermal decomposition kinetics of potassium metaperiodate (KIO4) to potassium iodate (KIO3) has been studied in air by thermogravimetry under isothermal conditions. Irrespective of whether p- or n-type, the metal oxides show only a little or no influence on the rate of the decomposition except for the small decrease when the oxide concentration is as high as 10 wt%. The rate law for the decomposition of KIO4 (Prout–Tompkins model) remained unaffected by the additives.