The Reduction of Oxygen to Hydrogen Peroxide by the Irradiation of Its Aqueous Solution with X-Rays

Abstract

Irradiation with x‐rays produces no chemical change in air‐free water. With oxygen present, hydrogen peroxide is formed due to a primary activation of the water. The initial production of hydrogen peroxide is independent of the oxygen pressure, from 4 to 70 cm Hg and is dependent on the hydrogen ion concentration according to: H 2 O 2 1000r×1000 cc =[2.2+2.2 [ 10 9.6− pH 1+10 9.6− pH ] 10 −6 N .