The Kinetics of Neutralization of Polonium-218

In a well-defined experimental system the neutralization of polonium-218 ions was investigated as a function of the physical and chemical properties of the controlled composition atmosphere. The mobilities of ${\rm Po}\sp+$ and ${\rm PoO}\sbsp{2}{+}$ are determined by combining experimental results with a computer model of the system. Three neutralization mechanisms were individually studied. The small ion recombination rate has been found to be proportional to the square root of radon concentration. The electron scavenging mechanism is responsible for the neutralization of ${\rm Po}\sp+$ in ${\rm NO}\sb2$ or ${\rm H\sb2O}$ in nitrogen. When ${\rm PoO}\sbsp{2}{+}$ is formed, the electron transfer mechanism dominates the neutralization process. The electron is transferred to ${\rm PoO}\sbsp{2}{+}$ from molecules with lower ionization potentials. The ionization potential of ${\rm PoO}\sbsp{2}{+}$ is also determined to be 10.44 $\pm$ 0.05 eV.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nuclear Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Chu, Kai-Dee

• Environmental Sciences

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8721609

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/70907