Immobilization of actinide ions in thin layers of polypyrrole/polyacrylamidoglycolic acid (PPy/PAGA) composite. Application to the preparation of alpha spectrometry sources

Abstract

We propose a new fully aqueous electrochemical method for the preparation of high resolution alpha sources. Thin films of polypyrrole (PPy) are prepared by anodic electropolymerization, starting from aqueous solutions of the pyrrole monomer and an anionic polyelectrolyte which is able to complex actinide and play the role of PPy doping agent: polyacrylamidoglycolic acid (PAGA). These thin films can be prepared on various electrodes: stainless steel, platinum, glassy carbon and polyethylene doped by carbon-black. Peeling tests revealed their strong adhesion on stainless steel electrode. Alpha sources were prepared by simple immersion in actinide containing solutions. This easy process results in alpha sources with outstanding energy resolution (FWHM: around 9 keV for various isotopes).

Determination of the stability constants of uranyl/polymer complexes by differential pulse polarography

“…PEI was also reacted with chloropropanesulfonyl chloride (Aldrich: 12,519-9) in order to attach statistically propane sulfonic acid moieties to PEI (PEIPrSO 3 H) [9]. The sulfur content, measured by neutron activation analysis [10] (NAA), gave a molar ratio of propane sulfonate to ethyleneimine units of 0.2.…”

“…The phosphorus content was also measured by neutron activation analysis, so leading to a CH 2 P(O)(OH) 2 to ethyleneimine molar ratio of 0.4 [10]. The structure of all the monomers and functionalized PEI is shown in Fig.…”

Effects of annealing temperature on morphology and thickness of samarium electrodeposited thin films

“…Actinide thin-films have gained significant attention over the last several decades for a myriad of 66 applications including accelerator bombardments [1][2][3], spectroscopy [4,5], and fission 67 fragment sources [6][7][8][9]. The Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) at Argonne 68 157 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed to obtain more detailed analysis of the 158 composition and binding of the depositions using a Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS with a 159 double-focusing hemispherical analyzer and a position-sensitive detector with 128 detector 160…”

Kläui Ligand Thin Films for Rapid Plutonium Analysis by Alpha Spectrometry

“…A traditional analysis for plutonium involves radiochemical separation of plutonium from matrix elements, followed by alpha spectrometry. , In order to obtain the high-quality alpha spectra needed to resolve different plutonium isotopes, samples are typically electroplated, a relatively sophisticated and somewhat time-consuming sample preparation. , The thin surface layer of the electroplated sample limits the attenuation of alpha particles and the resulting loss of spectral resolution. , An alternative approach to the analysis would be to use a monolayer or thin film of a ligand to bind radionuclides from solution to a surface for alpha spectrometry. − This approach would be advantageous in the event that a fast analysis is needed, avoiding the electroplating step while still having the potential to provide a high-quality alpha spectrum …”