A re-examination of our Monte-Carlo modeling of the high-temperature radiolysis of liquid water by low-linear energy transfer (LET~0.3 keV/[micro]m) radiation has been undertaken in an attempt to reconcile our computed g-values (primary yields) of the various radiolytic products (e[superscript -][subscript aq], ¨OH, H¨, H[subscript 2], and H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2]) with recently reevaluated experimental data over the range from 25 up to 350 [degrees]C. The temperature dependence of the rate constant for the self-reaction of the hydrated electron (e[superscript -][subscript aq]) measured under alkaline conditions, and in particular the abrupt drop observed above 150 [degrees]C, was assumed, in contrast to previous study, to be valid also in near-neutral pH water. To best reproduce the currently available temperature-dependent g-values, we found it necessary to introduce a discontinuity in the temperature dependence at 150 [degrees]C of certain parameters that intervene in the physicochemical stage of the radiolysis, including the thermalization distance (r[subscript]th) and the dissociative attachment (DEA) of subexcitation electrons, and the dissociative decay of electronically and vibrationally excited water molecules. With the exception of g(H[subscript 2]) above 200 [degrees]C, all calculated g-values were consistent with the general observation that when the temperature is increased, the yields of free radicals g(e[superscript]-[subscript]aq), g(¨OH), and g(H¨) increase while the molecular yield g(H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2]) decreases.Although H[subscript 2] is a molecular product, g(H[subscript 2]) was observed to continue to increase with temperature for a reason that has been a matter of controversy recently. Our simulations show that the reaction of H¨ atoms with water previously proposed by Swiatla-Wojcik and Buxton can indeed account for the anomalous increase in g(H[subscript 2]) at high temperature if we use for the rate constant of this reaction the value of 10[superscript 4] M[superscript 1] s[superscript -1] at 300 [degrees]C. Finally, as a direct application of the Fricke (ferrous sulfate) dosimeter, we have calculated the spur lifetime ([tau]s) and its temperature dependence. The results show that our calculated [tau]s value is decreasing from 4.2×10[superscript -7] to 5.7×10[superscript -8] s over the temperature range 25-350 [degrees]C.

Abstract: Monte Carlo simulations were used here to compare the radiation chemistry of pure water and aqueous bromide solutions after irradiation with two different types of radiation, namely, tritium β-electrons (~7.8 keV) and [superscript 60]Co γ-rays/fast electron (~1 MeV) or high energy protons. Bromide ions (Br-) are known to be selective scavengers of hydroxyl radicals •OH precursors of hydrogen peroxide H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2]. These simulations thus allowed us to determine the yields (or G-values) of H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] in the radiolysis of dilute aqueous bromide solutions by the two types of radiations studied, the first with low linear energy transfer (LET) (~0.3 keV/μm) and the second with high LET (~6 keV/μm) at 25 °C. This study was carried out under a wide range of Br- concentrations both in the presence and the absence of oxygen. Simulations clearly showed that irradiation by tritium β-electrons favored a clear increase in G(H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2]) compared to [superscript 60]Co γ-rays. We found that these changes could be related to differences in the initial spatial distributions of radiolytic species (i.e., the structure of the electron tracks, the low-energy β-electrons of tritium depositing their energy as cylindrical “short tracks” and the energetic Compton electrons produced by γ-radiolysis forming mainly spherical “spurs”). Moreover, simulations also showed that the presence of oxygen, a very good scavenger of hydrated electrons (e-[subscript aq]) and H• atoms on the 10[superscript-7] s time scale (i.e., before the end of spur expansion), protected H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] from further reactions with these species in the homogeneous stage of radiolysis. This protection against e-[subscript aq] and H• atoms therefore led to an increase in the H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] yields at long times, as seen experimentally. Finally, for both deaerated and aerated solutions, the H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] yield in tritium β-radiolysis was found to be more easily suppressed than in the case of cobalt-60 γ-radiolysis, and interpreted by the quantitatively different chemistry between short tracks and spurs. These differences in the scavengeability of H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] precursors in passing from low-LET [superscript 60]Co γ-ray to high-LET tritium β-electron irradiation were in good agreement with experimental data, thereby lending strong support to the picture of tritium-β radiolysis in terms of short tracks of high local LET. / Résumé: Les simulations Monte Carlo constituent une approche théorique efficace pour étudier la chimie sous rayonnement de l'eau et des solutions aqueuses. Dans ce travail, nous avons utilisé ces simulations pour comparer l’action de deux types de rayonnement, à savoir, le rayonnement γ de [indice supérieur 60]Co (électrons de Compton ~1 Me V) et les électrons β du tritium (~ 7,8 keV), sur la radiolyse de l’eau et des solutions aqueuses diluées de bromure. Les ions Br- sont connus comme d’excellents capteurs des radicaux hydroxyles •OH, précurseurs du peroxyde d’hydrogène H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2]. Les simulations Monte Carlo nous ont donc permis de déterminer les rendements (ou valeurs G) de H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] à 25 °C pour les deux types de rayonnements étudiés, le premier à faible transfert d'énergie linéaire (TEL) (~0,3 keV/μm) et le second à haut TEL (~6 keV/μm). L’étude a été menée pour différentes concentrations d’ions Br-, à la fois en présence et en absence d'oxygène. Les simulations ont montré que l’irradiation par les électrons β du tritium favorisait nettement la formation de H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] comparativement aux rayons γ du cobalt. Ces changements ont pu être reliés aux différences qui existent dans les distributions spatiales initiales des espèces radiolytiques (i.e., la structure des trajectoires d'électrons, les électrons β du tritium déposant leur énergie sous forme de «trajectoires courtes» de nature cylindrique, et les électrons Compton produits par la radiolyse γ formant principalement des «grappes» de géométrie plus ou moins sphérique). Les simulations ont montré également que la présence d'oxygène, capteur d’électrons hydratés et d’atomes H• sur l'échelle de temps de ~10[indice supérieur -7] s (i.e., avant la fin des grappes), protégeait H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] d’éventuelles réactions subséquentes avec ces espèces. Une telle «protection» conduit ainsi à une augmentation de G(H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2]) à temps longs. Enfin, en milieu tant désaéré qu’aéré, les rendements en H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] obtenus lors de la radiolyse par les électrons β du tritium ont été trouvés plus facilement supprimés que lors de la radiolyse γ. Ces différences dans l’efficacité de capture des précurseurs de H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] ont été interprétées par les différences quantitatives dans la chimie intervenant dans les trajectoires courtes et les grappes. Un excellent accord a été obtenu avec les données expérimentales existantes.