Electron Spin Resonance Study of Trapped Electrons in Gamma-Irradiated Triethylamine Glasses

A study has been made of trapped electrons produced in γ-irradiated triethylamine glasses at low temperature by electron spin resonance methods. A sharp singlet centered at g=2.003±0.001 was observed, which was readily bleachable with near-infrared light. In the presence of an electron scavenger this singlet spectrum was not observed and it has been attributed to trapped electrons. The G value for the formation of trapped electrons has been estimated to be 0.5 at 77°K. Isothermal decay of trapped electrons at 77°K was found to be a first-order process. Thermal decay measurements of trapped electrons indicated their rapid disappearance in a temperature region 105° to 112°K. A nuclear magnetic resonance study of a triethylamine glass revealed that motional narrowing in a resonance line of solvent protons occurred in about the same temperature region as that in which the rapid decay of trapped electrons was observed. The nature of the electron trap is briefly discussed.