Rapid Electrochemical Detection of Radiolysis Products in an Aqueous Solution Exposed to Alpha Particle Beams

Abstract

An electrochemical cell has been developed that allows for the rapid and exhaustive detection of oxygen and/or hydrogen peroxide produced during the radiolysis of aqueous solutions by alpha particle or proton beams. Short, 10–100 s, exposures were sufficient to yield steady-state electrochemical currents proportional to the radiolysis G-factor. The use of thin SiC windows provided a robust means of separating the vacuum environment of the ion-beam accelerator from the aqueous solution at atmospheric pressure with minimal energy loss.