Ion—Molecule Reactions in Hydrogen—Rare-Gas Mixtures

Abstract

Ion—molecule reactions in rare‐gas—hydrogen systems have been studied by high‐pressure mass spectrometry, using a specially designed ion source which employs the beta rays of tritium as ionizing medium. The rate constants for reactions of H₃⁺ with rare gases and of rare‐gas ions with hydrogen have been measured. The results are in qualitative agreement with radiolysis experiments on hydrogen—deuterium exchange, and if a quantitative comparison is attempted, it is possible to estimate the rate constant of the chain‐propagation reaction. Experiments are also reported for N₂–H₂ and O₂–H₂ mixtures.