The competition for e_aq^- between several scavengers at high concentrations and its implications on the relevance of dry electrons in the radiation chemistry of aqueous solutions

The relative rate constant for the reactions of e_aq^- with H⁺ compared to Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, and acetone were measured as a function of concentrations up to 2 M. The results show either that k_eaq^-+H⁺/k_eaq^-+Cd ²⁺ and k_eaq^-+H⁺/ k_eaq^-+aoetone decrease at high concentrations or that alternatively the ratio of rates is constant but the yields of e_aq^- (G(e_aq^-)) decrease in these concentrated solutions. The results are related to the time dependence of the above-mentioned ratios of the rate constants, as postulated by Schwarz, and to the dry-electron concept proposed by Hamill. One cannot, at this stage, make a definite decision with respect to the relative importance of the two alternatives.