Transient species produced in irradiated water and aqueous solutions containing oxygen

Abstract

Abstract Transient spectra of a number of radicals and radical ions have been observed in aqueous solution saturated with oxygen and irradiated by a short intense pulse of fast electrons. Depending upon the conditions of pH and upon solute concentrations, absorption maxima are produced in both the visible and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. In oxygenated alkaline solutions the u.v. absorption contains four components which decay at different rates. One of these is the second absorption band of 0-3 and it is concluded that the others are due to the species O-2, HO-3 and HO-2. It is suggested that the short lived u.v. absorption observed in alkaline N20 saturated solution is due to the species O-. Absolute rate constants have been obtained for several of the reactions involved and a comprehensive mechanism for the radiolysis is proposed.