Electron-Induced Reactions in Methanol Ultrathin Films Studied by Temperature-Programmed Desorption: A Useful Method to Study Radiation Chemistry. Harris, Tracy D.; Lee, Do H.; Blumberg, Meaghan Q.; Arumainayagam, Christopher R.. Department of Chemistry, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA. J. Phys. Chem. (1995), 99(23), 9530-5. CODEN: JPCHAX ISSN: 0022-3654. Journal written in English. CAN 123:97587 AN 1995:579060 CAPLUS (Copyright 2001 ACS)

The exposure of multilayers of an adsorbate to low energy (£55 eV) electrons under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions followed by temp.-programmed desorption (TPD) is shown to be an effective method to identify radiolysis products. In conjunction with isothermal expts., postirradn. TPD expts. were used to identify eight previously known radiolysis products of methanol. The utility of the method is demonstrated by the identification of a previously unknown methanol radiolysis product: methoxymethanol (CH₃OCH₂OH). Moreover, this technique allows study of the dependence on initial electron energy, providing addnl. insight into the phys. processes underlying radiation chem.