Reactions of Ions in the Radiolysis of Liquid Propane

Abstract

Abstract The reactions of ions, especially fragmentation of excited ions and the subsequent reactions of fragment ions in the radiolysis of liquid propane have been investigated by the use of charge scavengers such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and ammonia (NH3). It has been confirmed that the fragment ions are produced by the dissociation of the excited parent ion prior to the parent ion-electron recombination. The yields of C2H5+ and C3H7+ have been measured by the use of the reaction, RH++ NH3→R+ NH4, with the results G≥0.28 and ∼1.1 respectively. These ions neutralize with electrons to form ethylene or propylene. The hydride ion transfer reaction between C2H5+ and propane may be competing with the neutralization of C2H5+ by electron in the absence of an additive. The yields of fragment ions are compared in the radiolysis of several saturated hydrocarbons.