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Radiation-induced dissolution of colloidal haematite

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Abstract

The dissolution of metal oxides that are normally insoluble in aqueous solution is an important process in the transport of corrosion products around the circuits of water-cooled nuclear reactors1, and in reactor decontamination2,3. It has recently been shown4–6 that one-electron reducing agents dissolve iron (III) oxides, often at much faster rates than the more conventional reagents such as chelating agents and strong acids. In appropriate conditions the products of water radiolysis can be used to generate the one-electron reducing reagents in the form of free radicals. We report here our preliminary results on the radiation-induced dissolution of colloidal Fe2O3 by propan-2-ol radicals, Me2COH, in acidic aqueous solution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Leeds, Cookridge Radiation Research Centre, Cookridge Hospital, Leeds, LS16 6QB, UK

    George V. Buxton & Trevor Rhodes

  2. Central Electricity Generating Board, Berkeley Nuclear Laboratories, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, GL13 9PB, UK

    Robin M. Sellers

Authors
  1. George V. Buxton
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  2. Trevor Rhodes
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  3. Robin M. Sellers
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Buxton, G., Rhodes, T. & Sellers, R. Radiation-induced dissolution of colloidal haematite. Nature 295, 583–585 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/295583a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/295583a0

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