An IR Spectroscopic Study of the Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Nano-ZrO2 + Nano-SiO2 + H2O Systems

Abstract

Using the method of IR Fourier-transform spectroscopy, the radiation decomposition of water in the nano-ZrO₂ + nano-SiO₂ + H₂O system at room temperature (T = 300 K) under the influence of γ-quanta is studied. It is shown that the adsorption of water by the zirconium and silicon nanooxides proceeds by the molecular and dissociative mechanisms. The following intermediate active products of the radiation-heterogeneous decomposition of water are registered: Zr and Si hydrides, and hydroxyl OH groups. It is shown that a change in the ratio of the ZrO₂ and SiO₂ nanopowders gives rise to a change in the surface profile and in the radiation-chemical yield of molecular hydrogen.