Intermetallic cobalt-gallium targets for production of germanium radioisotopes.

Increasing interest in targeted radionuclide therapy motivates the development of new radionuclides. The unique emission spectrum from 71Ge make it an ideal candidate for probing microdosimetric effects of low energy electrons absent confounding photon dose. This work reports a novel intermetallic target of Co and Ga for accelerator production of no-carrier-added 69/71Ge and a new method to isolate the Ge in high yields and purities.

Isolation and purification of protactinium-231.

Protactinium-231 is one of the lesser known actinides, yet the measurement of this radionuclide is central to dating studies in both paleoclimate and nuclear forensics measurements; furthermore, it is important as the immediate parent nuclide of the 227Ac decay chain. In this paper, we present the preparatory work for an upcoming CCRI(II) supplementary comparison of this radionuclide. The material used in this work was of poorly known provenance, and it was necessary to carry out a chemical purification of this material prior to use. A new extraction chromatography resin, TK 400, which has been developed for the separation of 231Pa, was tested at NPL. The aims of the work were achieved; the recovery of 231Pa was ~85%, the decay products were recovered in good yield (~95%) and stable element impurities were removed.

The behaviour of 226Ra in high-volume environmental water samples on TK100 resin.

Accurate, low-level measurement of 226Ra in high volume water samples requires rapid pre-concentration and robust separation techniques prior to measurement in order to comply with discharge limits and drinking water regulations. This study characterises the behaviour of 226Ra and interfering elements on recently developed TK100 (Triskem International) extraction chromatography resin. Distribution coefficients over a range of acid concentrations are given, along with an optimised procedure that shows rapid pre-concentration and separation of 226Ra on TK100 resin is achievable for high volume (1 L) water samples without the need for sample pre-treatment.

Gross alpha determination in drinking water using a highly specific resin and LSC.

Some results of experiments concerning a new highly specific resin for the extraction of alpha-emitting nuclides from drinking water samples are presented. The product used during these experiments is a new extraction chromatographic resin which consists of a combination of several reagents and extractants supported on inert polymeric substrates, called "Resin" hereafter. It shows strong affinity for Actinides in the tri-, tetra- and hexavalent oxidation state, as well as for radium, even in presence of large amounts of calcium. Gross-alpha activities were determined using alpha-/beta-discrimination liquid scintillation counting (alpha-/beta-LSC) by direct measurement of the dried resin after extraction. Counting conditions were optimised accordingly. A method for the determination of alpha-emitting nuclides in drinking water was developed and tested using intercomparison and spiked drinking water samples.

Development and characterisation of a new Sr selective resin for the rapid determination of 9°Sr in environmental water samples.

A new resin selective for Sr has been developed and characterised for the direct binding of (90)Sr from environmental waters with minimal pre-treatment. The new selective resin comprises of a mixture of two extractants, 4,4'(5')-bis-t-butylcyclohexano-18-crown-6 and di(2-ethyl-hexyl)phosphoric acid, sorbed onto Amberchrom CG-71. Sr uptake is shown to be high (the distribution weight coefficient Dw >100 mL g(-1)) across a range of environmentally realistic conditions (pH 2-8 and up to 11,500 mg L(-1) NaCl, 500 mg L(-1) Ca, 400 mg L(-1) K and 1300 mg L(-1) Mg). The Sr capacity of the resin is shown to be 7.7±0.4 mg g(-1), meaning that the resin has a sufficient capacity to quantitatively remove Sr from most environmental water samples. The reasonably fast uptake kinetics of the resin (95±4% of strontium bound within 30 min) results in a resin that is applicable to both batch- and column-type separation procedures. A range of potentially co-extracted radio-elements have been identified and an elution scheme has been developed to separate interferences, including (90)Y, from (90)Sr. The clean elution of (90)Sr permits immediate measurement by radiometric means, with no need for complicated spectral processing or waiting for secular equilibrium between (90)Sr and (90)Y. The characterised resin is applicable for use in rapid determination procedures, enabling the swift analysis of water samples required by monitoring schemes at contaminated nuclear sites and in the aftermath of nuclear accidents.