Radiolysis of Hexafluoroethane

Abstract

The radiolysis of C2F6 at 3-atm pressure has been examined. The products and 100 eV yields are CF4 (1.6), cyclo-C3F6 (0.30), C3F8 (0.21), C4H10 (0.14), and C2F2 (0.03). Good material balance is obtained; the F/C ratio in the products is 3.0. Experiments using radical scavengers indicate that 50% of the CF4 comes from radical reactions and 50% from nonradical reactions, that C3F8 and C4H10 are entirely formed by radical reactions, and that C2F2 and cyclo-C3F6 are probably formed by ionic reactions. In Ar–C2F6 mixtures energy transfer, thought to be charge transfer, is observed and ionic production of C3F8 is seen. C2F6 is about one-fifth as sensitive to radiation decomposition as is C2H6. It is concluded that excited molecule decompositions, particularly those giving molecular fluorine, are relatively unimportant in the radiolysis of perfluoroalkanes.