Photonucleation in supersaturated CCl4 vapor investigated in a diffusion chamber

Abstract

We report an experimental investigation of the nucleation of supersaturated carbon tetrachloride vapor in the presence of an impurity, Cl2, induced by light in the visible part of the spectrum. This photonucleation phenomenon has been studied with a thermal diffusion chamber. The process is shown to be strongly dependent upon the intensity and wavelength of light and upon the supersaturation of the vapor. A tentative interpretation of this photonucleation phenomenon is given, that is, it relies upon the formation of CCl3 free radicals.