Radiolysis of Hexafluoroethane

Abstract

The radiolysis of C₂F₆ at 3‐atm pressure has been examined. The products and 100 eV yields are CF₄ (1.6), cyclo‐C₃F₆ (0.30), C₃F₈ (0.21), C₄H₁₀ (0.14), and C₂F₂ (0.03). Good material balance is obtained; the F/C ratio in the products is 3.0. Experiments using radical scavengers indicate that 50% of the CF₄ comes from radical reactions and 50% from nonradical reactions, that C₃F₈ and C₄H₁₀ are entirely formed by radical reactions, and that C₂F₂ and cyclo‐C₃F₆ are probably formed by ionic reactions. In Ar–C₂F₆ mixtures energy transfer, thought to be charge transfer, is observed and ionic production of C₃F₈ is seen. C₂F₆ is about one‐fifth as sensitive to radiation decomposition as is C₂H₆. It is concluded that excited molecule decompositions, particularly those giving molecular fluorine, are relatively unimportant in the radiolysis of perfluoroalkanes.