Ionizing radiation induced reaction in nanoclay hydrogel

[Display omitted] •Reactions in a nanoclay hydrogel were examined and compared to those in solution.•Reaction kinetics of hydrated electrons was unaffected by nanoclay concentration.•Scavenging of the hydrated electrons was conducted in the hydrogel and in solution.•No cage-effect or solute adsorption was indicated for pyridine in the hydrogel.•Reaction kinetics in the hydrogel was directly observed by pulse radiolysis. Reactions induced by ionizing radiation in LAPONITE-XLG nanoclay hydrogel were investigated and compared with those in alkaline aqueous solutions using ns-pulse radiolysis. The LAPONITE concentration did not affect the decay rate of hydrated electrons in 1 and 2 wt% hydrogel. The scavenging of hydrated electrons by pyridine was examined in 2 wt% hydrogel, and was consistent with the reaction in aqueous solution. The absence of a “cage-effect” or adsorption effect for pyridine or pyridinium was found. This suggests that LAPONITE behaves as an inert material on condition that solute adsorption does not occur.