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Decomposition of hydrazine in aqueous solutions

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Quality; (United States)
OSTI ID:5945807
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville (United States)

The effects of several environmental factors on the fate of hydrazine in aqueous systems were studied. In aqueous systems, the primary mechanism of hydrazine (N{sub 2}H{sub 4}) degradation appears to be a four-electron oxidation to N{sub 2} gas by oxygen. The oxidation rate was very slow in distilled water but increased with the addition of catalysts such as Cu(II) and phosphate ions. Conditions that accelerated the formation of the hydrazyl radical, the first step in hydrazine oxidation, increased the proportion of one-electron oxidation. This resulted in increasing the formation of ammonia as one of the degradation products. Ammonia evolution was correlated with Cu(II) and phosphate ion concentrations, as well as with temperature. Hydrazine oxidation was primarily dependent on the rate of the oxygen diffusion from the gas phase.

OSTI ID:
5945807
Journal Information:
Journal of Environmental Quality; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality; (United States) Vol. 18:4; ISSN JEVQA; ISSN 0047-2425
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English