The effect of pH on water radiolysis: A still open question — A minireview

The available data describing the influence of pH on the radiolysis of liquid water are not current and still raise a certain number of problems. Especially for alkaline media, the question of the values of the primary free radical and molecular yields is yet unsolved, the experimental data appearing contradictory. It is proposed here to briefly summarize the main results that have been obtained on this subject thus far. In the quest of finding a definitive explanation for these apparent disagreements, Monte-Carlo simulation methods could offer a most valuable tool to further develop our understanding of pH effects in the radiation chemistry of water and aqueous solutions.