Recombination of ground state halogen atoms. Part 2.—Kinetics of the overall recombination of chlorine atoms

Abstract
The kinetics of overall recombination of 2P ground-state chlorine atoms have been investigated by internsity measurements on the chlorine afterglow emission spectrum Cl2(3IIou+1Σ+ g). For Cl2 or Ar as third body at total pressures near 2 torr, no evidence supporting a major recombination path via Cl3 as an intermediate was found. The mechanism of homogeneous recombination could be represented by the simple reaction [graphic omitted] with k3,M=½[M]–1 d([Cl]–1)/dt. Measurements of k3,Ar from 195 to 500°K gave k3,C;2 = 1015.1 exp(+1600 ± 600 )RT= 1016.3(T/300)[–2.7 ± 0.5] cm6 mole–2 sec–1 and k3, Ar= 1014.3 exp (+ 1800 ± 700/RT)= 1015.6(T/300)[–3.0 ± 0.5] cm6 mole–2 sec–1. Methods for the determination of rate constants for chlorine atom reactions in discharge-flow systems are discussed.