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Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis methodology for determination of boron from trace to major contents

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Abstract

Prompt gamma ray neutron activation analysis methodologies were standardized using a reflected neutron beam and Compton suppressed γ-ray spectrometer to quantify boron from trace to major concentrations. Neutron self-shielding correction factors for higher boron contents (0.2–10 mg) in samples were obtained from the sensitivity of chlorine by irradiating KCl with and without boron. This method was validated by determining boron concentrations in six boron compounds and applied to three borosilicate glass samples with boron contents in the range of 1–10 mg. Low concentrations of boron (10–58 mg kg−1) were also determined in two samples and five reference materials from NIST and IAEA.

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Acknowledgements

The author is thankful to all co-workers namely Dr. A.V.R. Reddy, Dr. A.G.C. Nair, Dr. A. Goswami, Mr. T.N. Nathaniel, Mr. K. Sudarshan and Mr. R. Tripathi. Author thanks to Dr. A.V.R. Reddy for critically going through the manuscript and suggestions. The author thanks Dr. B.S. Tomar, RCD, Dr. V.K. Manchanda, Head, RCD and Dr. V. Venugopal, Director, RC&I Group, BARC for their encouragement. The author thanks Dr. S.L. Chaplot, Head, SSPD, BARC and his colleagues for providing neutron beam facility at Dhruva reactor.

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  1. Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India

    R. Acharya

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Acharya, R. Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis methodology for determination of boron from trace to major contents. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 281, 291–294 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0100-0

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