ENERGY-TRANSFER IN THE GAMMA-RADIOLYTIC-DECOMPOSITION OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM NITRATES DISPERSED IN PHOSPHATE, SULFATE AND CARBONATE MATRICES IN SOLID-STATE

Gamma radiolytic decomposition of sodium and potassium nitrates disper sed in respective phosphate, sulfate and carbonate matrices has been s tudied over a wide absorbed dose range upto 300 kGy. Decomposition of nitrates increases with the concentration of the additive in the admix tures. G(NO2-) values, calculated on the basis of electron fraction of the nitrate decreases with the absorbed dose and with the increasing concentration (or mol %) of the nitrate. Thermoluminescence (TL) and E lectron Spin Resonance (ESR) studies suggest the formation of radical species which may interact with NO3- causing enhancement in the decomp osition process. A comparison of G-values for three additives suggests that the efficiency of the energy transfer decreases in the order PO4 3- > CO32- > SO42- and depends on the nature and the concentration of the additive as well as the nature of cation/anion.