The Vapor Phase Radiolysis of Isopropanol and Water–Isopropanol Mixtures. II. Nitrous Oxide as Electron Scavenger

Abstract

Nitrous oxide reduces the hydrogen yield from water–isopropanol vapor mixtures by complete scavenging of electrons. Nitrogen is produced over the whole concentration range but the yield at higher isopropanol concentrations is much greater than the electron yield. The results indicate a competition between water and isopropanol for a secondary species resulting from electron attachment to N2O. Reaction of this species with isoprooanol leads to further N2 whereas reaction with water does not. The reactive intermediate is most probably N2O− or N2O2−.