γ-Radiolysis of a Binary Mixture of Methanol and Water. The Formation of Formaldehyde in the Radiolysis of Liquid Methanol

Abstract The γ radiolysis of a binary mixture of methanol and water over a wide concentration range has been investigated. The observed yields of products are expressed as a linear function of the electron fraction of methanol in the mixture. The yields of molecular hydrogen were also determined. Analyzing the results on reasonable assumptions, one could obtain for neutral water, Ge\barsw=2.3–2.5 and GOHw≥2.6. It was concluded that, in the radiolysis of methanol, formaldehyde may be produced through the decomposition of CH2OH radicals in the spur region, not by the disproportionation of these radicals.