Evidence for a dose rate effect in gamma-radiolysis: Pt. 1

Alkanes (C6, C16, C17) containing a captodative solute, methylmethoxyacetate (MMA), were irradiated with 60Co. Dimeric products were analysed by capillary gas chromatography. G-value were measured as a function of the concentration of the captodative solute. By reaction with alkyl radicals, the captodative solute gives a free radical stabilized by the captodative effect. The combination reaction of this radical with itself or with alkyl radicals gives solute or mixed dimers which were also analysed. A large dose rate effect was seen, when the solute was not able to scavenge most of the alkyl radicals. Very good purification of the starting materials was needed to achieve reliable results. This may explain some discrepancies which appear in the literature. (author)