gamma-Irradiation effect on the spectroscopic and electrical properties ofK2SO4-Na2SO4 mixed system

Measurements of electron paramagnetic resonance, infrared and electrical pr operties were carried out for the K2SO4-Na2SO4 mixed system before and afte r gamma -irradiation. EPR measurements revealed the presence of a quartet o f lines characterized by an isotropic g-Value of 2.0034. These lines are ma inly attributed to the formation of a SO3- center which results from the in teraction of gamma -rays with the sulfate ion. A decrease in the absorption intensity of the Infrared radiation was observed after gamma -irradiation due to radiation damage in the sulfate group. The electrical conductivity, sigma, was measured for the K2SO4-Na2SO4 system before and after gamma -irr adiation in the temperature range from 30 up to 430 degreesC. A considerabl e decrease in the conductivity Value accompanied by an increase in the acti vation energy was observed after gamma -irradiation. The energy of formatio n of Frenkel defects was estimated to be 2.94eV. The current-voltage charac teristics were measured at different temperatures in order to estimate the type of conduction in the samples. Isothermal annealing kinetics was invest igated at different temperatures before and after gamma -irradiation. The e lectrical conductivity decreases with increasing time of annealing and the annealing process is dominated by a unique rate process.