CHANGES IN pH AND REDOX POTENTIAL DURING RADIATION-INDUCED CO_2 REDUCTION IN AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION CONTAINING IRON POWDER

摘要

A study of the radiation induced CO_2 reduction in a solution containing iron powder with a specific surface area as large as 29 m~2/g has revealed that H_2 and hydrocarbons are formed irrespective of whether the solution is irradiated with γ-rays or not and that CO is produced only under γ-ray irradiation. By considering the relation between pH and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) the results obtained are attributed to the considerable decrease in pH. For an initial period, the rate of H~+ generation is remarkably enhanced by almost 30 times by a collective effect of γ-rays, CO_2 and iron.