Scavenging of the Precursor to the Hydrated Electron by the Selenate Ion

Abstract

Electron pulse radiolysis experiments have been used to investigate the scavenging of the precursor to the hydrated electron in aqueous solutions of selenate, a relatively good scavenger of the prehydrated electron. The yields of the total electrons scavenged are compared to those obtained with cadmium, a hydrated electron only scavenger. At scavenging capacities greater than about 106 s-1 (1 mM selenate), the yield of total electrons is greater with selenate than with cadmium. The results are thought to be due to the scavenging of the prehydrated and hydrated electrons by the selenate anion, whereas the cadmium scavenges only the hydrated electron. Scavenging of the prehydrated electron occurs at relatively low concentrations of selenate, and other similarly reactive solutes may have noticeable effects on the outcome of water radiolysis.