Absorption and conductivity studies on the transients generated in the gamma-radiolysis of perfluorobenzene in rigid matrices

Abstract

Absorption spectrum of the transient produced on gamma-radiolysis of C₆F₆ in 3-methylpentane (3MP) matrix at 77 K has bands at 370 and 460 nm. Studies using electron and hole scavengers in 3MP matrix have shown that the species responsible for the above absorption is indeed due to electron attachment to C₆F₆. However, electron attachment to C₆F₆ could be dissociative or nondissociative. Conductivity measurement of a gamma-irradiated C₆F₆ in 3MP show a peak thermostimulated current of 500 × 10^-12A as the temperature was raised above 77K. The thermostimulated current measured for irradiated C₆F₆ in 3MP was reduced to 50 × 10^-12A when the absorption bands were photobleached. The decrease in the thermostimulated current correlates with the depletion of species having absorption bands at 370 and 460 nm on photobleaching, indicating that the spectrum is due to the molecular anionic species and hence electron attachment to C₆F₆ is nondissociative.