Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1883601 | Radiation Physics and Chemistry | 2009 | 4 Pages |
Abstract
In a recent paper (Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 2005, vol. 74, pp. 210) it was suggested that the anomalous increase of molecular hydrogen radiolysis yields observed in high-temperature water is explained by a high activation energy for the reaction H+H2O→H2+OH. In this comment we present thermodynamic arguments to demonstrate that this reaction cannot be as fast as suggested. A best estimate for the rate constant is 2.2×103 M−1 s−1 at 300 °C. Central to this argument is an estimate of the OH radical hydration free energy vs. temperature, ΔGhyd(OH)=0.0278t−18.4 kJ/mole (t in °C, equidensity standard states), which is based on analogy with the hydration free energy of water and of hydrogen peroxide.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Physics and Astronomy
Radiation
Authors
David M. Bartels,