Event
Materials Science and Engineering Seminar Series: Jay A. LaVerne
Friday, November 12, 2010
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Room 2108, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Bldg.
JoAnne Kagle
(301) 405-5240
jkagle@umd.edu
http://www.mse.umd.edu/events/seminars.html
Radiolysis of Water and Ceramic Oxide Nanoparticles
Jay A. LaVerne
Radiation Laboratory and Department of Physics
University of Notre Dame
The effects induced by the passage of ionizing radiation through interfaces of water and nanoparticles are very important for the interesting fundamental science and for many applications in the nuclear power industry. Unfortunately, radiation effects at the surface of nanoparticles are not as well understood as the more commonly studied photolysis of similar systems used for solar conversion. The flow of charge or energy through water-solid interfaces can greatly alter the outcome of the radiolysis as compared to the isolated components. Particle size, composition and even morphology can influence the radiolysis. This presentation will discuss the basic radiolysis of water and show how that chemistry is modified by the presence of the surface of a variety of ceramic oxide nanoparticles. Water decomposition mechanisms and products as well as surface modification of the particles due to radiolysis will be shown.