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Title: Sonolytic decomposition of poly(vinylpyrrolidone), ethanol, and tetranitromethane in aqueous solution

Journal Article · · J. Phys. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100321a052· OSTI ID:6884767

Aqueous solutions of poly(vinylpyrrolidone), PVP (as nonvolatile solute), ethanol (as volatile and soluble solute), and tetranitromethane, TNM (as volatile and almost insoluble solute), were irradiated under argon with 300-kHz ultrasound at an intensity of 2 W x cm/sup -2/. In all three cases, products were observed (such as CH/sub 4/, C/sub 2/H/sub 4/, C/sub 2/H/sub 6/, CO, and CO/sub 2/ from PVP and ethanol, and NO/sub 2//sup -/, NO/sub 3//sup -/, N/sub 2/, CO, and CO/sub 2/ from TNM), the formation of which can only be understood in terms of pyrolysis in or close to the cavitation bubbles. More pyrolysis products are formed from PVP than bonds are broken in the main chain by hydrodynamic shear forces in the neighborhood of cavitation bubbles. The decomposition of TNM is one of the fastest sonochemical reaction. The yields were determined at various solute concentrations, and it was concluded from these data that (1) the extent of pyrolysis depends on the rate of dehydration of solute molecules, this rate increasing with their hydrophobicity, and (2) pyrolysis might be supported by free-radical attack.

Research Organization:
Hahn-Meitner-Institut Berlin (Germany, F.R.)
OSTI ID:
6884767
Journal Information:
J. Phys. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 92:10
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English