Radiolysis of Perfluorodimethylcyclohexane by Gamma Photons, Reactor Radiations, or Fission Fragments

The radiolysis of perfluorodimethylcyclohexane, C₈F₁₆, by gamma radiation, by reactor radiation, and by fission fragment radiation (C₈F₁₆ - UF₆ solution exposed to reactor radiation) was studied. The principal products in the first two cases were dimeric molecules; however, small amounts of gaseous products including CF₄, C₂ F₆, C₂ F₆O, C₃F₈, and C₃F₈O were found. In the latter case, the principal products were CF₄, C₂F₆, and C₂F₆O. No polymeric materials were found. From the standpoint of the chemical nature of the products and of reaction kinetics, the effects of reactor radiations and gamma radiation were indistinguishable. These same considerations, applied to fission-fragment radiolysis, supported the assumption that the C₈F₁₆ molecule was shattered into tiny fragments which were then fluorinated to give simple fluorocarbon molecules.