Neutralization of Hydronium Ions in the Radiolysis of Water Vapour

Abstract

WHEN water vapour is irradiated, the main primary positive ion is H2O+ and it may be assumed that the reaction: (k1 = 1.26 × 10−9 cm3 molecules−1 sec−1) will result in the formation of hydronium ions1. It has been suggested2,3 that neutralization of the hydronium ion by recombination with electrons can lead to the formation of two hydrogen atoms per ion: but there has been no evidence available to decide between this process and the alternative: giving one hydrogen atom per ion. In an investigation of the radiolysis of mixtures of deuterium oxide and propane, we have obtained results which have a bearing on this question.