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Deuterium separation with 1400-fold single-step isotopic enrichment and high yield by CO/sub 2/-laser multiple-photon dissociation of 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane

Journal Article · · Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.90819· OSTI ID:6419529

The compound 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, CF/sub 3/CHCl/sub 2/, has been selected in an exhaustive search as the most promising working material for potentially viable laser separation of deuterium. Highly isotopically selective absorption in CF/sub 3/CDCl/sub 2/ occurs near 10.2 and 10.6 ..mu..m, accessible with the normal CO/sub 2/ laser. The single-step deuterium isotopic enrichment factor attains a value of 1400 at a fluence of 10 J/cm/sup 2/ for the dominant photoproduct, trifluoroethene (CF/sub 2/=CFD and CF/sub 2/=CFH). The probability for CF/sub 3/CDCl/sub 2/ dissociation into CF/sub 2/=CFD photoproduct occurs with a fluence threshold near 1.5 J/cm/sup 2/ and appears to saturate near 100% yield above 15 J/cm/sup 2/. Liquid-phase base-catalyzed H/D exchange occurs rapidly with water without hydrolysis to permit redeuteration of the CF/sub 3/CHCl/sub 2/ working material.

Research Organization:
Irving P.,Herman
OSTI ID:
6419529
Journal Information:
Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 34:7; ISSN APPLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English