The NO
2 decomposition by electron beam irradiation was studied in the NO
2-N
2 and NO
2-rare gas mixtures. The NO
2 decomposition yields,
G(-NO
2), at low doses in the case of the 500 ppm NO2 initial concentration were 2.9, 10.4 and 5.9 for the NO
2-N
2, NO2-He and NO2-Ar mixtures respectively. A large amount of NO was formed by irradiation of these mixtures. The
G(NO) was almost equal to the
G(-NO
2). The N
2O was also formed in the NO
2-N
2 mixture. The NO
2 decomposition is mainly attributable to the attack of N, formed by the radiolysis of N
2, on NO
2 in the NO
2-N
2 mixture, and to the attacks of R
+ and R
*, formed by the radiolysis of a rare gas (R), on NO
2 in the NO
2-rare gas mixture. The NO
2 decomposition in the NO
2-N
2 mixture was depressed markedly by the addition of a small amount of O
2. This may be mainly attributable to the regeneration of NO
2 by the reaction of NO with O.
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