Radiolysis of Porous Materials and Radiolysis at Interfaces

This chapter begins with general information on radiolysis and, more particularly, on the radiolysis of water, before quickly presenting the most studied porous materials. It looks at the phenomena taking place on the surfaces and at the interfaces. The chapter focuses on low linear energy transfer radiation. The overall balance of water radiolysis leads to the formation of radicals, as well as stable molecules such as dihydrogen and hydrogen peroxide. Radiolysis in heterogeneous media is much more complex than radiolysis in homogeneous media. Accurate dosimetry is a prerequisite for any radiolysis study. Dihydrogen production from confined water has been studied in a wide variety of systems, ranging from borosilicate glass with controlled pore size, mesoporous silicas and zeolites to clay materials and cement materials. In order to understand the origin of radiolysis exaltation phenomena near interfaces, it is necessary to try to describe the underlying mechanisms of radical production and recombination.