STUDIES ON GAMMA RADIOLYSIS OF MICROCRYSTALLINE AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE

Gamma radiation induced decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP), pelletized in a KCl/KBr matrix has been followed IR spectrophotometrically. AP absorption peaks decreased in intensity as the γ-dose increased progressively. Irradiation of powdered AP produces ClO 3 − ; its yield increases, attains a maximum and decreases beyond a dose of 0.5 MGy. The result is similar but much slower in the case of γ-irradiated pellets of pure AP.