Silent Discharge Reactions in Aqueous Solutions. II. An Acidic Aqueous Solution of Ceric Sulfate in Atmospheres of Helium and Argon

Abstract

Abstract In an atmosphere of helium or argon, the silent discharge reaction of an acidic aqueous solution of ceric sulfate has been investigated from the point of view of radiation chemistry. The results show the reduction of ceric ions to cerous ions. The situation is very similar to that in the case of radiation chemistry. From the known mechanism of the radiolysis of a ceric sulfate solution, the yield of “hydrogen atoms minus hydroxyl radicals” has been determined. Also, combining this yield with that of “hydrogen atoms plus hydroxyl radicals” previously obtained gave the respective yields of hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, on the basis of the value of the dose rate previously determined, the G values of the hydrogen atom, the hydroxyl radical and the cerous ion were determined to be as follows: in helium: G(H)=1.1,G(OH)=1.6,G(Ce3+)=1.6; in argon: G(H)=0.6,G(OH)=0.7,G(Ce3+)=2.9. On the basis of these results, it may be concluded that the silent discharge reactions in an aqueous solution in inert gas can well be interpreted in terms of the radiolysis caused by the ionizing radiation of high LET.