1
|
Zhang L, Chen L, Xu J, Zhang H, Zhang D, Qin Z, Liao J. Evaluation of Graphene Oxide as a Thermal Ionization Enhancer for Plutonium in TIMS Measurement. Anal Chem 2023; 95:1106-1114. [PMID: 36594747 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) has been extensively employed for the assessment of plutonium (Pu) isotopes in nuclear forensics and environmental monitoring. Recently, great efforts have been made to improve the ionization efficiency (IE) of Pu to achieve better accuracy and precision for trace-level analysis. Herein, the thermal ionization enhancement effect for plutonium of graphene oxide (GO) was investigated and the corresponding mechanism was discussed. The GO layers were homogeneously mounted on the filament's central surface to promote pg-level Pu ion emission. With the excellent structural property of GO, a greatly promoted ionization efficiency of 0.44% for Pu was obtained, and the initial ionization temperature for Pu was remarkably reduced from 1610 to 1390 °C. Average boosts in IE compared to the classical double-filament mode and graphite-loaded single-filament mode were 1640 and 520%, respectively. The analytical accuracy and precision based on the GO-loaded single-filament mode were validated using Pu isotopic certified reference materials. This work demonstrates the excellent property of GO as an ion source additive for Pu ionization, as it provided an interface for the promotion of energy transfer and Pu carbide formation. The operation of GO loading is quite simple and can be finished within 5 min. This rapid filament carburization approach has great potential for improving the measurement precision of trace-level plutonium isotopes and can be applied in nuclear safeguards, nuclear forensics, and environmental monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Lumin Chen
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Hailu Zhang
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Dezhi Zhang
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Zhen Qin
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Junsheng Liao
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Malmbeck R, Banik NL, Nicholl A, Horta-Domenech J, Zuniga MV, Lützenkirchen K. Precise determination of 244Cm by 244Cm/ 239Pu alpha ratio measurements. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj04904f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This work describes a method developed for the precise determination of Cm in a solution. The method is based on accurate spiking of a 244Cm solution having a known isotopic vector but unknown concentration, with a Pu reference standard.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rikard Malmbeck
- European Commision, Joint Research Centre – JRC, Directorate G, Nuclear Safety and Security, Karlsruhe 76125, Germany
| | - Nidhu lal Banik
- European Commision, Joint Research Centre – JRC, Directorate G, Nuclear Safety and Security, Karlsruhe 76125, Germany
- Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH (BGE), Sicherheitsanalysen Morsleben - EMO-SL. 4, Willy-Brandt-Straße 5, Salzgitter 38226, Germany
| | - Adrian Nicholl
- European Commision, Joint Research Centre – JRC, Directorate G, Nuclear Safety and Security, Karlsruhe 76125, Germany
| | - Joan Horta-Domenech
- European Commision, Joint Research Centre – JRC, Directorate G, Nuclear Safety and Security, Karlsruhe 76125, Germany
| | - Martin Vargas Zuniga
- European Commision, Joint Research Centre – JRC, Directorate G, Nuclear Safety and Security, Karlsruhe 76125, Germany
| | - Klaus Lützenkirchen
- European Commision, Joint Research Centre – JRC, Directorate G, Nuclear Safety and Security, Karlsruhe 76125, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Maillard C, Maloubier D, Boulay O, Savigny V, Quemet A. U and Pu separation with U/TEVA resin: Influence of some parameters on chromatographic cycle performances. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07986-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
4
|
Paul S, Bhushan KS, Goswami PG. Task-Specific Supported Liquid Membrane for Actinide Assay in Aqueous Streams by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2019; 91:14383-14391. [PMID: 31621293 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Thermal ionization mass spectrometry is the most commonly used technique for the determination of Pu isotopic composition and concentration in complex matrices but involves multiple steps including sample pretreatment, removal of matrix, preconcentration of Pu, and loading on a rhenium filament for TIMS analysis. The present work reports the synthesis of the N,N'-dioctyl-α-hydroxyacetamide (DOHA) functionalized supported liquid membrane that offered dual functions: (i) matrix elimination and/or preconcentration of actinides from complex aqueous samples and (ii) served as a loading substrate for TIMS analysis. The ligand composition in the membrane can be tuned aiming either for selective preconcentration of Pu from an aqueous matrix or for bulk removal of actinides. The membrane, impregnated with 0.2 M DOHA in dodecane, showed very high selectivity for PuIV in acidic medium, in the presence of other competing actinides, viz., AmIII, UVI, and NpV. The membrane based loading in TIMS improved the sample utilization efficiency and ionization efficiency compared to the conventional solution loading technique, offering Pu analysis from a single Re filament, that served as both vaporization and ionization filament and direct determination of 238Pu in the presence of 238U, eliminating the requirement of alpha spectrometry. It was possible to achieve >80% reduction in analysis time and >95% reduction in secondary waste generation by the SLM-TIMS method, compared to conventional TIMS involving Pu purification by anion exchange resin. Pu concentrations in seawater and groundwater samples, synthetic urine, and dissolver solution of irradiated fuel were determined by SLM-TIMS, employing the isotope dilution (ID) technique, with very good accuracy and precision. The membrane, impregnated with 2 M DOHA in dodecane, showed strong affinity for actinides and was successfully employed for the removal of bulk actinides from aqueous samples with more than 96% recovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Paul
- Fuel Chemistry Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 , India
| | - K Sasi Bhushan
- Fuel Chemistry Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 , India
| | - Preeti G Goswami
- Fuel Chemistry Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 , India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang L, Xiong P, Zhang H, Chen L, Xu J, Wu H, Qin Z. Graphene Oxide Carburization Enhanced Ionization Efficiency for TIMS Isotope Ratio Analysis of Uranium at Trace Level. Anal Chem 2019; 91:7215-7225. [PMID: 31082218 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Isotope analysis of trace uranium is important in nuclear safeguards and nuclear forensics, which requires the analytical methodologies with high sensitivity, accuracy, and precision. As one of the most powerful techniques in isotopic measurement, thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) usually suffers from its relatively low sensitivity in ultratrace measurements. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a new filament carburization technique for TIMS, with graphene oxide (GO) as the ionization enhancer. A high and steady ionization efficiency of ∼0.2% for uranium was achieved in single-filament mode, which was 10× the classical double-filament method. With total evaporation (TE) measurements, this method was validated with certified reference materials (CRMs) at the picogram level, and the relative uncertainties for n(235U)/ n(238U) were as low as the ∼1% level. The enhancement mechanism of GO's promoting effect on uranium ionization was attributed to the uniform microstructure facilitating energy transfer and formation of carbides. This approach provides an alternative simple and rapid method for trace uranium isotope analysis with high sensitivity and excellent repeatability. Filament carburization and uranium loading could be accomplished within 10 min. This technique has great advantage in analysis of trace uranium isotope ratios and can be applied in the researches of environmental analysis and nuclear forensics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Institute of Materials , China Academy of Engineering Physics , Mianyang , 621900 , China
| | - Penghui Xiong
- Institute of Materials , China Academy of Engineering Physics , Mianyang , 621900 , China
| | - Hailu Zhang
- Institute of Materials , China Academy of Engineering Physics , Mianyang , 621900 , China
| | - Lumin Chen
- Institute of Materials , China Academy of Engineering Physics , Mianyang , 621900 , China
| | - Jie Xu
- Institute of Materials , China Academy of Engineering Physics , Mianyang , 621900 , China
| | - Haoxi Wu
- Institute of Materials , China Academy of Engineering Physics , Mianyang , 621900 , China
| | - Zhen Qin
- Institute of Materials , China Academy of Engineering Physics , Mianyang , 621900 , China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mannion JM, Shick, Jr. CR, Fugate GA, Wellons MS, Powell BA, Husson SM. Rhenium filament oxidation: Effect on TIMS performance and the roles of carburization and humidity. Talanta 2017; 168:183-187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
7
|
Inglis JD, Maassen J, Kara A, Steiner RE, Kinman WS, Lopez D. A multiple ion counter total evaporation (MICTE) method for precise analysis of plutonium by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5259-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
8
|
Krachler M, Alvarez-Sarandes R, Rasmussen G. High-Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry for (234)U/(238)Pu Age Dating of Plutonium Materials and Comparison to Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2016; 88:8862-9. [PMID: 27480522 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b02472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Employing a commercial high-resolution inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (HR-ICP-OES) instrument, an innovative analytical procedure for the accurate determination of the production age of various Pu materials (Pu powder, cardiac pacemaker battery, (242)Cm heat source, etc.) was developed and validated. This undertaking was based on the fact that the α decay of (238)Pu present in the investigated samples produced (234)U and both mother and daughter could be identified unequivocally using HR-ICP-OES. Benefiting from the high spectral resolution of the instrument (<5 pm) and the isotope shift of the emission lines of both nuclides, (234)U and (238)Pu were selectively and directly determined in the dissolved samples, i.e., without a chemical separation of the two analytes from each other. Exact emission wavelengths as well as emission spectra of (234)U centered around λ = 411.590 nm and λ = 424.408 nm are reported here for the first time. Emission spectra of the isotopic standard reference material IRMM-199, comprising about one-third each of (233)U, (235)U, and (238)U, confirmed the presence of (234)U in the investigated samples. For the assessment of the (234)U/(238)Pu amount ratio, the emission signals of (234)U and (238)Pu were quantified at λ = 424.408 nm and λ = 402.148 nm, respectively. The age of the investigated samples (range: 26.7-44.4 years) was subsequently calculated using the (234)U/(238)Pu chronometer. HR-ICP-OES results were crossed-validated through sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICPMS) analysis of the (234)U/(238)Pu amount ratio of all samples applying isotope dilution combined with chromatographic separation of U and Pu. Available information on the assumed ages of the analyzed samples was consistent with the ages obtained via the HR-ICP-OES approach. Being based on a different physical detection principle, HR-ICP-OES provides an alternative strategy to the well-established mass spectrometric approach and thus effectively adds to the quality assurance of (234)U/(238)Pu age dates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Krachler
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements , P.O. Box 2340, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Rafael Alvarez-Sarandes
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements , P.O. Box 2340, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Gert Rasmussen
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements , P.O. Box 2340, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| |
Collapse
|