Radiation chemical behavior of aqueous butanal oxime solutions irradiated with helium ion beams

• The butanal oxime consumption yield has been determined by GC–MS in aqueous media.
• Enhancement of the hydrogen production is observed in the presence of butanal oxime.
• Diminution of the H2O2 production is observed in the presence of butanal oxime.
• Butanal oxime reaction with H∙/HO∙ by hydrogen abstraction mechanism is discussed.

Samples of butanal oxime in aqueous solution have been irradiated with the helion (4He2+) beam of the ARRONAX (Nantes) and the CEMHTI (Orléans) cyclotrons. The consumption yield of butanal oxime has been measured by gas-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Yields of gaseous products (mainly H2) have also been measured by micro-gas-chromatography. Butanal oxime can react with H∙ radicals by abstraction mechanism to enhance H2 production. Yields of liquid phase products (hydrogen peroxide and nitrite ion) have been measured by colorimetric methods. Butanal oxime acts as a scavenger of OH∙ radical to inhibit the production of H2O2. The observation of the radiolytic products allows then to discuss a degradation mechanism of butanal oxime in aqueous solutions.