The nature of hydrogen atom precursors in water radiolysis

The initial yields, Gsub(H), of primary hydrogen atom, Hsub(α), produced in water radiolysis in dependence on KNO2 and H2O2 concentrations were experimentally studied. A comparison of Gsub(H) and radiolytical molecular hydrogen yield Gsub(H)sub(2) at different solute concentrations shows that electron acceptors reduce both Gsub(H) and Gsub(H)sub(2). This fact indicates that ''dry'' electron, being the precursor of molecular H2, takes part in Hsub(α) formation, too. However, if Gsub(H)2 is practically completely inhibited, Gsub(H) is lowered only to 0.2-0.3 at./100 eV. The precursor of this non-inhibited part of Hsub(α) yield can be neither ''dry'' nor hydrated electron. (author)