Kinetics of photolysis of nitric acid vapour. Part 2.—Decomposition of nitric acid photosensitized by nitrogen dioxide

Abstract

The photolysis of mixtures of nitric acid and nitrogen dioxide has been studied at 2650Å and room temperature. A mechanism has been suggested which is in accordance with the experimental results obtained at both low and high overall pressures. The value of 1.0 (±0.05) was obtained for the primary quantum yield of NO₂ photolysis at 2650 Å. The rate constant ratio k₁/k₂ of the elementary reactions [graphic ommitted] was determined, and estimates for the rate constants of steps NO₃+ NO₂→ NO₂+ O₂+ NO, O + HNO₃→ OH + NO₃ were made.