Study of H2O2 Production and Consumption in γ-Irradiated Aqueous Systems in Contact with Zircalloy, Inconel, and AISI Alloys. An Electrochemical Approach.

Other conference contribution, 2025

This study investigates the steady-state concentration of radiolytic H2O2 produced by γ-radiolysis of water in contact with stainless steel, Inconel and Zircalloy materials. The findings reveal that the alloys lead to different hydrogen peroxide concentrations under γ-irradiation up to a total received dose of 2.2 MGy, with a maximum reduction of 40 % with respect to the control sample achieved by stainless steel and no tangible difference induced by Zircalloy. Without γ-irradiation, H2O2 reactivity is instead minimal and homogeneous toward all the alloys. No evidence of material oxidation was found on the surface of the irradiated samples. Further electrochemical investigations evidenced a shift of the Electrochemical Corrosion Potential (ECP) toward more positive values under γ-irradiation for both stainless steel and Zircalloy, with stainless steel showing a larger drift and higher current than Zircalloy. The results indicate that simple use of H2O2 solutions may not correctly mimic the effect of water radiolysis products and γ-irradiation on the alloys object of this study.