Study of the formation of the dispersed phase in aqueous solutions of Cu(II)

The formation of the dispersed phase in aqueous solutions of Cu(II) in the presence of formate and alcohols is studied using the pulse radiolysis method. The incubation time and the half-life for the formation depend on the absorbed dose and on the number of applied pulses as well as on the solution composition itself (Cu concentration, pH, OH-scavenger etc.). With increasing dose per pulse or number of pulses, the incubation time and the half-life for colloid formation decrease. The nature of the colloids formed is discussed. (author)