Organosilver radicals in gamma-irradiated Ag–NaA zeolite with methanol adsorbate

Abstract

Hydroxyalkyl silver radicals, Ag·CH₂OH⁺ in γ-irradiated Ag–NaA zeolites with adsorbed methanol have been studied by EPR spectroscopy. These adducts, for silver loadings greater than one Ag⁺ per unit cell, are formed directly after irradiation at 77 K. For lower Ag⁺ content they appear on annealing above 140 K. It is postulated that the Ag⁺ location in the zeolite lattice plays a crucial role in this process, and two different mechanisms of Ag·CH₂OH⁺ formation are discussed depending on Ag⁺ location inside or outside a β-cage.