Published by De Gruyter (O)

Volume 106 Issue 11

Issue of Radiochimica Acta

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Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available October 25, 2018

Frontmatter

Page range: i-iii

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July 14, 2018

Measurement and covariance analysis of ⁵⁹Co(n, 2n)⁵⁸Co reaction cross sections at the effective neutron energies of 11.98 and 15.75 MeV

Santhi Sheela Yerraguntla, Haladhara Naik, Manjunatha Karantha, Srinivasan Ganesan, Suryanarayana Venkata Saraswatula, Sreekumaran Narayana Pillai Nair

Page range: 877-884

Abstract

The 59 Co( n , 2 n ) 58 Co reaction cross sections relative to the cross sections of the 115 In( n , n ′) 115m In reaction have been measured at the effective neutron energies of 11.98 and 15.75 MeV by using activation and off-line γ -ray spectrometric technique. Neutron beam used in the present experiment was generated from the 7 Li( p , n ) 7 Be reaction with the proton energies of 14 and 18 MeV at the 14UD BARC-TIFR Pelletron facility, Mumbai. We also present the covariance information by taking into account the sources of error and the correlations between the attributes influencing the measurements. The 59 Co( n , 2 n ) 58 Co reaction cross sections from the present work are then compared with the values from different evaluated nuclear data libraries. The micro-correlation technique suggested by Smith was modified to generate the covariance matrix for the measurements of reaction cross sections as the efficiencies of detector for the sample and monitor are correlated.

July 27, 2018

Fast burn-up measurement in simulated nuclear fuel using ICP-MS

Ujjwal Kumar Maity, Periasamy Manoravi, Nagarajan Sivaraman, Mathew Joseph, Uthandi Kamachi Mudali

Page range: 885-895

Abstract

A double focusing ICP-MS with pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of thin films as sampling tool has been used in simulated spent fuels for a quick measurement on burn-up of nuclear reactor fuels by measuring the atom ratio of U (representing total heavy elements of mass >225) to selected lanthanide fission monitors. A linear correlation is established between the measured intensity ratios of 238 U/ 143 Nd, 238 U/( 145 Nd+ 146 Nd) and 238 U/ 139 La against the actual atom ratios present in the samples. The samples in the form of solution are obtained by dissolving different concentrations of U, Nd and La in nitric acid medium, representing a wide burn-up range (0.19 to 19.98 at.%). In addition, PLD films were deposited using 1064 nm, 100 ps Nd:YAG laser pulses on solid targets of U and Nd mixed oxide, corresponding to different burn-ups. ICP-MS analysis of these films after dissolving in nitric acid showed values close to that of the solid target composition. Burn-up data obtained with films deposited at a high laser power density of 1.67×10 11 W/cm 2 agrees well with the values of the respective target compositions compared to the films deposited at 3.3×10 9 W/cm 2 . Present analytical method requires only a very small sample quantity, typically a few nanograms and generally does not require any chemical separation in comparison to the conventional mass spectrometry method, which is traditionally employed to determine the burn-up of a nuclear fuel.

July 9, 2018

Preparation of dual-modality yttrium-90 radiolabeled nanoparticles for therapeutic investigation

Elham Sattarzadeh Khameneh, Mostafa M. Amini, Saeed Kakaei, Alireza Khanchi

Page range: 897-907

Abstract

Magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles with narrow size distribution were synthesized by simple and high yielded co-precipitation technique using ferrous salts with a molar ratio of Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ =2. After coating of the nanoparticles with Stöber silica (SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 ), nanoparticles were functionalized by amine groups. Then chelator molecules diethylenetriaminepentaacetic (DTPA) and tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) were coupled to the APTS-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 to chelating Y-90 radiometal that makes these nanoparticles a suitable agent for therapeutic application as dual-modality PET/MRI imaging. The results show the coupling of DTPA takes place better than DOTA. Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was followed by structure identification using XRD, SEM, TGA and IR techniques. In order to trace MNPs biodistribution, the radiolabeled MNPs-DTPA were prepared using 90 Y (production of 90 Y/ 90 Sr generator) with a good labeling efficiency (about 92%, RTLS method). The biodistribution of the radiolabeled MNPs was checked in normal male rats up to 24 h compared to free Y 3+ . The data shows that the tracer accumulation is in reticuloendothelial tissue while the stability of the complex is highly retained.

October 17, 2018

Effects of initial concentration and irradiation dose to degradation of di butyl phthalate from phosphoric acid (30 % P₂O₅)

Louisa Bounemia, Abdelhamid Mellah

Page range: 909-916

Abstract

The pretreatment of the phosphoric acid is a stage of utmost importance leading to an optimal recovery of the uranium present in this acid. To this end, the degradation of the organic matter which obstructs considerably this recovery was tested by γ irradiation. This study lies within the scope of the radiation/matter interaction; concerning the use of the γ irradiator as proceed of phosphoric acid purification by the degradation of di butyl phthalate (DBP). Studies of the interaction of γ radiation with phosphoric acid solutions polluted by an organic matter concern the study of the influence of some parameters such as: dose rate (0.5–35 kGy), initial concentration (50–500 mg/L) of the pollutant, pH and % in P 2 O 5 on the degradation of organic matter by γ irradiation. The reactions followed pseudo first order kinetics for different initial concentrations. The results made it possible to say that the degradation of di butyl phthalate by γ irradiation is dependent on the amount of the concentration of DBP and pH. The G-values decreased with absorbed doses, and increased with higher initial concentrations.Purification of phosphoric acid by γ radiation does not degrade the quality of this acid.

July 21, 2018

Microwave-assisted dissolution of highly refractory dysprosium-titanate (Dy₂TiO₅) followed by chemical characterization for major and trace elements using ICP-MS, UV-visible spectroscopy and conventional methods

Brijlesh Kumar Nagar, Khushboo Kumari, Sadhan Bijoy Deb, Manoj Kumar Saxena, Bhupendra Singh Tomar

Page range: 917-926

Abstract

Dysprosium-titanate (Dy 2 TiO 5 ), being highly refractory in nature, its dissolution using conventional (hot-plate and fusion) methods is very difficult. Hence, for quantitative dissolution, a microwave method has been developed. The instrumental parameters and amount of acids has been optimized. Studies have been carried out for precise and accurate estimation of major elements such as Dy, Ti, and Mo. An anion exchange column has been used to separate Mo, Dy and Ti. Analysis of these elements has been carried out using ICP-MS, UV-visible spectroscopy, and gravimetric methods. In the developed method, precipitation of molybdenum and dysprosium has been done using α-benzoine oxime, and oxalic acid respectively. These precipitates have been converted into their respective oxide form. The purities of these oxides (Dy 2 O 3 and MoO 3 ) have been determined using ICP-MS. The method has been validated using synthetic samples where it is found that accuracy of Dy and Mo is >99% and precision is <1 (%RSD). The titanium has been determined using UV-visible spectroscopy with accuracy >98% and precision <2 (%RSD).

July 4, 2018

Radioactivity levels and health risks due to radionuclides in the soil and sediment of mid-Black Sea: Kızılırmak Deltas-Turkey

Sema Arıman, Hasan Gümüş

Page range: 927-937

Abstract

Artificial and natural radionuclide pollutants of the marine environment have been recognized as a serious environmental concern. In this study, the activity concentrations of terrestrial and anthropogenic radionuclides in the soil and sediment samples collected from Bafra Kızılırmak Delta were measured by using gamma spectrometry with an NaI (Tl) detector. The average specific of activity concentrations for 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K were found to be 28.59, 17.48 and 150.59 Bq kg −1 , respectively. On the other hand, 137 Cs was also measured in some samples. 137 Cs (t 1/2 =30.17 years) is a man-made radionuclide released from nuclear fission and activation processes. It has a mean value of 5.32 Bq kg −1 . From the activity concentrations, the radium equivalent activity (Ra eq ), the absorbed gamma dose rates (D R ), the annual gonadal dose equivalent, annual effective dose equivalent, internal (H in ), external hazard index (H ex ) and excess lifetime cancer risk were estimated. This study can be used as a base line for future investigations and the data obtained in this study may be useful for natural radioactivity mapping and also be used as a reference data for monitoring possible radioactivity pollutions in future.

July 4, 2018

Natural radioactivity levels in sediments in Algiers Bay using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Lateffa Baba-Ahmed, Mohammed E. A. Benamar, Mohamed Belamri, Ahmed Azbouche, Samah Benarous, Abderrahmane Benkhalifa

Page range: 939-948

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to evaluate natural radioactivity levels in sediments collected from different points of Algiers bay. Particular attention was paid to understand correlations between the distribution of uranium and thorium and the geomorphological characteristics of the Bay. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has been employed in order to measure the isotopic composition and concentration of uranium and thorium, with emphasis on isotopes, 232 Th and 238 U. The concentrations reported in Bq kg −1 (dry weight) vary between 19.73 and 34.53 for 238 U and between 22.26 and 36.02 for 232 Th. The obtained results are within the world typical ranges and did not show any anomalous values. Results revealed clear inverse relationship between activity concentration and grain size. The radioactivity content in sediments had a positive correlation with clay and silt percentage, and a negative correlation with sand percentage. The concentration ratios of 232 Th/ 238 U are found to be slightly below the world average value unite (3.94) in sediments. Values below unite indicate that the medium is reductor or the existence of an external source of U-contaminated particles in the bay; Values greater than the unit show either depletion of uranium or enrichment of thorium due to alteration or natural processes in these areas. The strong correlation of uranium and Thorium in samples reflects the source of same origin. The results of the study can be used as basic radiometric data for future sedimentological studies. The situation in the Bay of Algiers is reassuring but the risk of possible contamination cannot be excluded and requires constant vigilance for the preservation of the coast and the Mediterranean from all contamination. The results can also be used as reference data for the monitoring of possible radioactive pollution in the future.

About this journal

Objective
Radiochimica Acta (RCA) publishes manuscripts encompassing chemical aspects of nuclear science and technology. The journal is meant for scientists who are actively engaged in research work.

Topics

radiochemical study of nuclear reactions including heavy ion reactions
radiochemically determined nuclear data for applications
chemical effects of nuclear transformations
radiation chemistry
chemistry of the actinides, transactinides and other radioelements
radioanalytical chemistry
radiopharmaceutical chemistry
scientific and technological applications of radionuclides, stable isotopes and nuclear methods in all fields
environmental and ecological studies using radiochemical techniques
chemistry of the nuclear fuel cycle (especially partitioning)
chemistry of radionuclides in geomedia (especially speciation, migration, etc.)

Article formats
Original Papers, Review Articles, and Rapid Communications (short communications of more timely interest)

Volume 106 Issue 11

Issue of Radiochimica Acta

Frontmatter

Measurement and covariance analysis of 59Co(n, 2n)58Co reaction cross sections at the effective neutron energies of 11.98 and 15.75 MeV

Abstract

Fast burn-up measurement in simulated nuclear fuel using ICP-MS

Abstract

Preparation of dual-modality yttrium-90 radiolabeled nanoparticles for therapeutic investigation

Abstract

Effects of initial concentration and irradiation dose to degradation of di butyl phthalate from phosphoric acid (30 % P2O5)

Abstract

Microwave-assisted dissolution of highly refractory dysprosium-titanate (Dy2TiO5) followed by chemical characterization for major and trace elements using ICP-MS, UV-visible spectroscopy and conventional methods

Abstract

Radioactivity levels and health risks due to radionuclides in the soil and sediment of mid-Black Sea: Kızılırmak Deltas-Turkey

Abstract

Natural radioactivity levels in sediments in Algiers Bay using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Abstract

Measurement and covariance analysis of ⁵⁹Co(n, 2n)⁵⁸Co reaction cross sections at the effective neutron energies of 11.98 and 15.75 MeV

Effects of initial concentration and irradiation dose to degradation of di butyl phthalate from phosphoric acid (30 % P₂O₅)

Microwave-assisted dissolution of highly refractory dysprosium-titanate (Dy₂TiO₅) followed by chemical characterization for major and trace elements using ICP-MS, UV-visible spectroscopy and conventional methods