FORMATION OF 'MOLECULAR' HYDROGEN IN THE $gamma$-RADIOLYSIS OF WATER VAPOUR
In the Co/sup 60/ gamma radiolysis of water vapor in the presence of 0.054 mole % ammonia and >0.1 mole % oxygen (total pressure approximates 2 atm, temperature 120 deg C, dose rates 1.5 to 6 x 10/sup 17/ev g/sup -1/H/sub 2/O min/- 1), the production of molecular hydrogen was observed as a linear function of the dose. Under these conditions the rate of the reaction; H + O/sub 2/ yields HO/ sub 2/ precludes the formation of molecular hydrogen by the combination of hydrogen atoms or by hydrogen atom abstruction reaction with the ammonia, and the results are, therefore, strongly indicative of a process leading directly to inolecular hydrogen without hydrogen atom precurosors. This postulate was confirmed by measurements with oxygen-free water vapor containing 0.94, 3.8, and 4.7 mole % C/sub 6/D/sub 6/ (>95%) isotopic purity), under similar conditions of temperature, pressure, and dose rate. (P.C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-016105
- OSTI ID:
- 4057586
- Journal Information:
- Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 201
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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