Reactions of recoil bromine species produced by neutron capture in 1,4-dibromobenzene–benzene mixtures

Abstract

Recoil reactions of ^80mBr, ⁸⁰Br and ⁸²Br originating from 1,4-dibromobenzene (1,4-DBB) following neutron capture have been investigated in benzene solutions by the charged-plate technique (CPT). Both anionic and cationic charged bromine species are produced and collected on electrodes. The electrode yields increase with an increase in 1,4-DBB concentration up to 13 mol% and the yields for all the three bromine radioisotopes abruptly decrease to fairly low values thereafter.

It could be deduced from these results that the recoil bromine reactions in neutron-irradiated 1,4-DBB–benzene solutions are influenced by the physical parameters (molecular weight, density, viscosity and refractive index) of the media. The results obtained are discussed critically in the light of existing views and mechanisms advanced by the numerous workers in the field. The electrode deposition pattern reflecting the final chemical stabilisation process of bromine radioisotope species in this media has been deduced to some extent.