Radiolysis and photolysis in the absorbed state

Abstract

Simultaneous irradiation of gases or liquids adsorbed on high-surface-area solids of insulator or semiconductor properties frequently produces a considerable increase in radiolysis yields and selective effects in the distribution of products in comparison with those obtained by irradiation of pure substances. This kind of reaction is also sometimes observed when the solid is irradiated before adding the reactant. The results show that part of the energy absorbed by the solid is transferred by some mechanism to the adsorbate and is able to cause its decomposition. In the present paper some of the most representative experiments in the field are analyzed, with special attention on the interpretation of results and proposed reaction mechanisms.