Effect of temperature on the yields of the precursors of hydrogen in the radiolysis of ethanol

Abstract

The yields of solvated electrons and hydrogen atoms, the precursors of hydrogen in the radiolysis of ethanol, have been determined as a function of temperature. G(H₂) and G(H₂)_m are independent of temperature but G(e^–) increases and G(H) decreases with decreasing temperature. This result has been interpreted as the increasing probability of sub-excitation escape from the field of the parent ion, with increasing dielectric constant. A plot of G(e^–) against ε is in good agreement with previous work on other alcohols, and in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions.