Radiation Chemistry

Course guarantor:

Václav Čuba

Lecturer:

Václav Čuba

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Department of Nuclear Chemistry

Synopsis:

Part one of this course deals with the formation of Primary Intermediate Products of radiolysis (PIP) caused by the absorption of ionizing radiation in matters. General overview of their properties and reactions leading to the formation of Stable Products of Radiolysis (SPR) is given in this part as well. The part two (systematic radiation chemistry) is dedicated to the radiolysis of selected material systems.

Requirements:

Basic knowledge in the properties of ionizing radiation and its interactions with matter.

Syllabus of lectures:

Outline:

1.The scope of radiation chemistry, its relation to other scientific disciplines, the interactions of directly ionising (charged particles) and indirectly ionising (neutrons, photons) radiation with a matter as starting point of radiation-chemical reaction (radiolysis).

2.The primary intermediate products (PIP) of radiolysis, their formation and properties: Excited states, cations, electrons, radicals and anions. Complex excited states: Excimers, exciplexes, plasmons. Superexcited states, high Rydberg states.

3.Electrons generated by irradiation as the most important agens responsible for the deposition of the radiation energy in a matter, electron degradation spectrum. The thermalization and solvation of electrons.

4.Relaxation processes in excited atoms and molecules.

5.The reactions of PIP giving the stable products of radiolysis.

6.The track of an ionising charged particle and its structure. The types of radiation-chemical yields, ionic-pair yield M/N, its meaning and use.

7.The stages of radiolysis: Physical stage, physicochemical stage chemical stage and their products. The stage of post-effects (either chemical or biological).

8.The kinetics of radiation-chemical processes, Bodenstein's principle of steady concentrations and its application, the fundamentals of diffusion kinetics.

9.The radiolysis of gases: Ionisation in noble gases, the radiolysis of selected gaseous elements, the radiolysis of N2O and its use in dosimetry, the radiolysis of water vapour.

10.The radiolysis of liquid water: The mechanism, the properties and reactivity of radiolytic products, the influence of conditions during the irradiation on the result of radiolysis.

11.The radiolysis of the water solutions of selected inorganic compounds, the radiolysis of solutions containing Fe2+ and Ce4+ ions, their use in dosimetry.

12.The radiolysis of the water solutions of selected organic compounds.

13.The radiolysis of selected organic liquids.

14. The influence of radiation on the properties of solids and their radiolysis: Metals and alloys, semiconductors, the halides of alkali metals, metal oxides, organic solids and polymers.

Syllabus of tutorials:

Study Objective:

Introductory course of radiation chemistry which provides for students basic information on chemical reactions initiated by ionizing radiation.

Gained knowledge allow to the students better orientation within the large scope of problems that present radiation chemistry investigates and their better understanding.

Study materials:

Key Literature:

1.A. Mozumder: Fundamentals of Radiation Chemistry, Academic Press, 1999

2.J. W. T. Spinks, R. J. Woods: An Introduction to Radiation Chemistry, 3rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1990

Recommended Literature:

3.C. D. Jonah, B. S. M. Rao (eds): Radiation Chemistry - Present Status and Future Trends, Elsevier, 2001

4.R. J. Woods, A. K. Pikaev: Applied Radiation Chemistry - Radiation Processing, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1994

Note:

Time-table for winter semester 2025/2026:

Time-table is not available yet

Time-table for summer semester 2025/2026:

Time-table is not available yet

The course is a part of the following study plans: