Radiation chemistry

Radiation chemistry - part of high-energy chemistry , a branch of physical chemistry - studies the chemical processes caused by the action of ionizing radiation on a substance.

Electromagnetic radiation ( x-ray radiation , γ-radiation , synchrotron radiation ) and streams of accelerated particles ( electrons , protons , neutrons , helions , heavy ions; fission fragments of heavy nuclei, etc.), whose energy exceeds the ionization potential of atoms or molecules, have an ionizing ability ( in most cases, lying within 10-15 eV ).

Within the framework of radiation chemistry, some chemical processes that are impossible using traditional chemical approaches are considered. Ionizing radiation can greatly reduce the temperature of chemical reactions without the use of catalysts and initiators.

Content

History of Radiation Chemistry

Radiation chemistry arose after the discovery of x-rays by W. Roentgen in 1895 and the radioactivity of A. Becquerel in 1896, who were the first to observe radiation effects in photographic plates. The first work on radiation chemistry was performed in 1899-1903 by the spouses M. Curie and P. Curie . In subsequent years, the largest number of studies was devoted to the radiolysis of water and aqueous solutions .

Physical Foundations of Radiation Chemistry

Radiation-chemical transformations

Under the action of ionizing radiation, the following radiation-chemical transformations occur ^[1] :

The transformation of oxygen molecules into ozone molecules ^[2] , due to which metals are quickly oxidized.
The decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen with the formation of a certain amount of hydrogen peroxide .
The transformation of allotropic modifications into more stable ones: white phosphorus to red, white tin to gray, diamond to graphite .
Decomposition into simple substances of gases - carbon dioxide , sulfur dioxide , hydrogen sulfide , hydrogen chloride , ammonia .
Polymerization of compounds containing double and triple bonds.

Notes

↑ Radiation chemistry // Encyclopedic dictionary of a young chemist. 2nd ed. / Comp. V.A. Kritsman, V.V. Stanzo. - M .: Pedagogy , 1990 .-- S. 200 . - ISBN 5-7155-0292-6 .
↑ Curie P., Curie M. Effets chimiques produits par les rayons de Becquerel (Fr.) // Comptes rendus de l'Académie des Sciences : magazine. - 1899. - Vol. 129 . - P. 823-825 .

Literature

Pikaev A.K. Modern Radiation Chemistry: Key Points: Experimental Technique and Methods. M .: Nauka, 1985.375 s.
Pikaev A.K. Modern radiation chemistry: Radiolysis of gases and liquids. M .: Nauka, 1986.660 s.
Pikaev A.K. Modern Radiation Chemistry: Solid and Polymers: Applied Aspects. M .: Nauka, 1987.448 s.

Links

[Slovar-1] Radiation chemistry // Encyclopedic dictionary of a young chemist. 2nd ed. / Comp. V.A. Kritsman, V.V. Stanzo. - M .: Pedagogy , 1990 .-- S. 200 . - ISBN 5-7155-0292-6 .

[2] Curie P., Curie M. Effets chimiques produits par les rayons de Becquerel (Fr.) // Comptes rendus de l'Académie des Sciences : magazine. - 1899. - Vol. 129 . - P. 823-825 .