γ-Radioloysis of N 2 O-saturated Formate Solutions. A Chain Reaction

Abstract

In the radiolysis of aqueous formate-containing solutions a chain reaction (i, ii) proceeds in the presence of N 2 O. The chain length depends on the dose rate and the N 2 O concentration but not on the formate concentration. Typically, G(CO 2 ) &#44 140 molecules (100 eV) &#109 1 is found, with an equivalent amount of N 2, at a dose rate of 3 &#50 10 &#109 3 Gy s &#109 1 . The rate constant for the rate-determining step in this chain reaction has been calculated at k(i) = 1600 dm 3 mol &#109 1 s &#109 1 . The possible relevance of this chain reaction in radiation biological studies is briefly discussed.

• Nitrous Oxide, Formate Solutions, Chain Reaction