EFFECT OF GAMMA-IRRADIATION ON THE INDUCTION PERIOD OF THE THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF BARIUM PERCHLORATE

Decomposition of barium perchlorate occurs through various stages: (i) initial gas evolution, (ii) induction period, (iii) short accelerator y, and (iv) long decay. Effect of pre-irradiation with Co-60 gamma-ray s (5 to 100 Mrad) on the decomposition process between 703.0 to 733.0 K shows that irradiation reduces the duration of induction period I to the onset of reaction conforming to the relation: I = C1 - C2 log dos e. The experimental data for I are very close to the theoretical value s obtained by using the induction period - dose relationship. The topo chemical aspects of the validity of the above relation has been consid ered to be due to the linear growth of nuclei during irradiation and s ubsequent exponential growth during the induction period. Irradiation enhances the rate of reaction in the acceleratory stage but decreases the duration of the decay period.