Alpha spectroscopy substrates based on thin polymer films

Mannion, Joseph M.; Locklair, W. David; Powell, Brain A.; Husson, Scott M.

doi:10.1007/s10967-015-4498-2

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The fiber loading method has not yet been used for analysis of other actinides, such as U; however, the polymer composition used in the preparation of fibers has been used for alpha spectroscopy sample preparation of natural U samples by our group. 11 We hypothesize fiber loading may also offer benefits for TIMS analysis of other actinides, such as U.…”

Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Bulk production of fibers may overcome this limitation, and the development of commercial anion-exchange fibers would improve the viability of this method for routine TIMS analyses. The fiber loading method has not yet been used for analysis of other actinides, such as U; however, the polymer composition used in the preparation of fibers has been used for alpha spectroscopy sample preparation of natural U samples by our group . We hypothesize fiber loading may also offer benefits for TIMS analysis of other actinides, such as U.…”

Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this Technical Note, we present polymeric anion-exchange fibers as an alternative carbonaceous material to resin beads for sample loading in TIMS analysis of Pu. Prior work by our group demonstrated the efficacy of triethylamine (TEA)-quaternized poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVBC) as an anion-exchange material for plutonium complexation and preparation of alpha spectroscopy substrates; however, the use of this polymer chemistry for sample loading in TIMS has never been reported in the literature. Fiber formation was seen as a simple means of producing anion-exchange material with physical dimensions similar to resin beads used in bead loading.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Anion-Exchange Fibers for Improved Sample Loading in Ultra-Trace Analysis of Plutonium by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

et al. 2017

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A new sample loading procedure was developed for isotope ratio measurements of ultratrace amounts of plutonium with thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). The goal was to determine the efficacy of a polymer fiber architecture for TIMS sample loading by following similar sample loading procedures as those used in bead loading. Fibers with diameter of approximately 100 μm were prepared from triethylamine-quaternized-poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) cross-linked with diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Fiber sections (2.5 mm) were loaded with 10 pg of New Brunswick Laboratory certified reference material (NBL CRM) 128 from an 8 M HNO matrix and affixed to rhenium filaments with collodion. A single filament assembly was used for these analyses. Total ion counts (Pu + Pu) and isotope ratios obtained from fiber-loaded filaments were compared to those measured by depositing Pu amended resin beads on the filament. Fiber loading was found to improve sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of isotope ratio measurements of plutonium when compared to the established resin bead loading method, while maintaining its simplicity. The average number of detected Pu+ counts was 180% greater, and there was a 72% reduction in standard deviation of ratio measurements when using fiber loading. An average deviation of 0.0012 (0.117%) from the certified isotope ratio value of NBL CRM Pu128 was measured when fiber loading versus a deviation of 0.0028 (0.284%) when bead loading. The fiber formation method presented in this study can be extended to other anion-exchange polymer chemistries and, therefore, offers a convenient platform to investigate the efficacy of novel polymer chemistries in sample loading for TIMS.

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Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Anion-Exchange Fibers for Improved Sample Loading in Ultra-Trace Analysis of Plutonium by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

et al. 2017

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“…Recent studies have focused on the use of selective polymer films as alpha spectroscopy substrates to avoid the expense associated with electrodeposition. − These substrates combine the steps of chemical separation and sample mounting while overcoming the poor resolution associated with nonselective films used for complex sample matrices . Pantchev et al functionalized nylon-6,6 membranes with amidoxime ligands to concentrate uranium from potable water.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…6−11 These substrates combine the steps of chemical separation and sample mounting while overcoming the poor resolution associated with nonselective films used for complex sample matrices. 12 Pantchev et al 7 functionalized nylon-6,6 membranes with amidoxime ligands to concentrate uranium from potable water. Spectral resolutions of 40 keV were achieved, but uranium was loaded on the membranes through batch sorption (not by filtration), which required a long 24 h equilibration time.…”

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confidence: 99%

Rapid Sample Preparation for Alpha Spectroscopy with Ultrafiltration Membranes

et al. 2018

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This contribution describes a rapid, fieldable alpha spectroscopy sample preparation technique that minimizes consumables and decreases the nuclear forensics timeline. Functional ultrafiltration membranes are presented that selectively concentrate uranium directly from pH 6 groundwater and serve as the alpha spectroscopy substrate. Membranes were prepared by ultraviolet grafting of uranium-selective polymer chains from the membrane surface. Membranes were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy before and after modification to support functionalization. Membrane performance was evaluated using uranium-233 or depleted uranium in both deionized and simulated groundwater at pH 6. Functionalized membranes achieved peak energy resolutions of 31 ± 2 keV and recoveries of 81 ± 4% when prepared directly from pH 6 simulated groundwater. For simulated groundwater spiked with depleted uranium, baseline energy resolution was achieved for both isotopes (uranium-238 and uranium-234). The porous, uranium-selective substrate designs can process liters per hour of uranium-contaminated groundwater using low-pressure (<150 kPa) filtration and a 45 mm diameter membrane filter, leading to a high-throughput, one-step concentration, purification, and sample mounting process.

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