Reduction of tetranitromethane by the primary species generated by Ar18+ heavy ions water radiolysis

We have studied, using Ar18+ heavy ions (95 MeV/A), with a constant LET (250 eV.nm(-1)), the reduction yields of tetranitomethane (TNM) in aqueous phase at pH 7. TNM is reduced not only by hydrated electrons and H radicals but also by superoxide anions. We have determined the influence of increasing irradiation doses from 100 Gy to 1000 Gy (dose rate 10 Gy. s(-1)) in TNM 3,2x10(-4) mol.l(-1) aerated solutions or N-2, or N2O saturated solutions. The TNM reduction yields have been measured, and the deduced values of G e(aq)(-) and G O-2(-) have been compared to those of the literature.