Note: Experiments in hard x-ray chemistry: <i>In situ</i> production of molecular hydrogen and x-ray induced combustion

Abstract

We have successfully loaded H(2) into a diamond anvil cell at high pressure using the synchrotron x-ray induced decomposition of NH(3)BH(3). In a second set of studies, radiation-assisted release of O(2) from KCLO(3), H(2) release from NH(3)BH(3), and reaction of these gases in a mixture of the reactants to form liquid water using x-rays at ambient conditions was observed. Similar observations were made using a KCLO(3) and NaBH(4) mixture. Depending on reaction conditions, an explosive or far slower reaction producing water was observed.