Thermoluminescence of photoirradiated petroleum luminophores of pyrolytic origin

Photothermoluminescence (PTL) of petroleum luminophores of pyrolytic origin was studied over a wide temperature range (−196 to 250°C). Problems related to the mechanism and stages of photochemical processes in petroleum luminophores are discussed. It was revealed that low-temperature PTL maximums at −165, −108, and −75°C are due to recombination of trapped electrons with radical cations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the freezing out of the motions of H, O₂, and R^·. High-temperature (relative to the luminophore freezing points) PTL maximums at 52, 105–120, and 130–140°C are due to processes associated with the oxidation of R^·, PAHs, and olefins by ³O₂ and ¹O₂.