Reactions of 4-chlorophenol, and other phenols, with eaq , ?H, ?N3 and ?OH in aqueous solutions were studied - by nano-second pulse radiolysis. The transient absorption spectra were attributed to determine the micro-reaction rate constants. It was found that the phenols were more easily oxidized by ?OH than reduced by eaq ; and pH value - and molecular structure of the phenols affected the rate constants of the reactions. In addition, γ-ray radiolysis of 4-chlorophenol aqueous solution was performed and the degradation products were analyzed with HPLC, GC-MS and other methods. It is concluded that the radiolysis technology alone is not efficient in terms of mineralization of the phenol and the presence of O2 and alkaline conditions can facilitate the mineralization process.
