bismuthate - 4-10-2013 at 12:31
Is it possible for chemical's luminescence to be fueled by gradual decomposition? I can only find luminescence in the spontaneous decomposition of
chemicls.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v159/n4033/abs/159232a0...
WPK0129 - 8-10-2013 at 14:30
I guess it depends what you mean by "decomposition" - the reaction in glowsticks is technically the decomposition of an intermediate formed when
luminol and hydrogen peroxide react. Also, "spontaneous" typically just means "it happens," i.e. the energy of the process is favorable, and doesn't
really tell you anything about how fast the process happens. Entire companies have been founded on gradual luminescence: http://www.cyalume.com/, for instance.
The paper you link to, though, has a single compound, N2O, decomposing without encountering a second one... I'm not sure about that specific case.
phlogiston - 8-10-2013 at 14:44
Gradual decomposition can be spontaneous... I don't quite understand what it is that you are asking. Can you reformulate it?
bismuthate - 8-10-2013 at 14:53
Sorry I mean can a compound that slowly decomposes release energy that is then reaborbed and emitted as visible light?
That paper was an example of a decomposition that emitts light.
[Edited on 8-10-2013 by bismuthate]