THE IRREVERSIBLE ADSORPTION OF PLUTONIUM HEXAFLUORIDE

The room temperature adsorption of PuF6(g) on a solid substrate was compared to the adsorption of UF6(g) on the same surface. Significantly more PuF6(g) was adsorbed at pressures in the range of 1.2 to 0.2torr, accompanied by the evolution of molecular fluorine. The adsorbed UF6 was easily desorbed by reducing the pressure. Most of the adsorbed PuF6 remained on the surface when subjected to the same treatment.