Linear-energy-transfer effects on the radiolysis of liquid water at temperatures up to 300°C – a Monte-Carlo study

Monte-Carlo simulations are used to calculate the primary radical and molecular yields (g-values) of water radiolysis versus temperature in the range 25–300°C, for different high linear energy transfer radiations (protons, 2H+, and 7Li3+) up to ∼65 keV/μm. The results are compared, at ∼10−7 s, to experimental data at 25°C, 95°C, and 180°C. Excellent agreement is obtained for g(e−aq) and g(OH) over the whole temperature range, but g(H2), [g(H)+g(H2)], and g(H2O2) are substantially larger than the measured values at 180°C. Our g-values are also compared with fast-neutron radiolysis yields and with deterministic modeling calculations. The agreement is generally satisfactory.