(n,γ)-radiolysis of magnesium iodate

Abstract The initial retention of thermal neutron irradiated magnesium iodate tetrahydrate was found to be 47% and increased to 54% for the dehydrated salt. The post irradiation isothermal annealing followed the characteristic pattern both in hydrated and dehydrated salts; the rate of increase in retention in the hydrated salt being faster than in the dehydrated form. At an annealing temperature of 453 K, 100% retention was achieved by the hydrated salt but the corresponding value for the dehydrated magnesium iodate was not higher than 88%. The role of water of crystallization in the retention studies of magnesium iodate is discussed.