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Determination of trace concentrations of thorium in uranium oxide matrix by epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis

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Abstract

An epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis (EINAA) method using cadmium filter was standardized to determine trace concentrations of thorium in four samples of uranium oxide (U3O8) samples. Samples and thorium standards, wrapped with cadmium foil, were irradiated at a reactor neutron flux of about 1012 cm−2 s−1. Radioactive assay was carried out using a Compton suppressed anticoincidence gamma ray spectrometer consisting of HPGe-BGO detectors coupled to MCA. Concentrations of thorium in these samples were found to be in the range of 15–72 mg kg−1. EINAA results were validated by determining thorium concentrations in uranium matrix by standard addition method. EINAA results were compared with those obtained by two wet chemical methods namely ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results obtained by the three methods were found to be in good agreement, indicating further validity of the proposed EINAA method.

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Acknowledgment

Authors are thankful to Dr. P. K. Pujari, Head, NCS, RCD, Dr. A. Goswami, Head, RCD, Dr. B. S. Tomar, Head, RACD and Dr. K. L. Ramakumar, Director, RC and IG, BARC for their support and encouragement. Authors are thankful to Ms. M. K. T. Bassan, ACD, BARC for her help in ICP-AES work. Authors thank operation crew of the CIRUS reactor and RPhD, BARC for their help during the irradiations. One of the authors (ADS) thanks BARC, DAE for the fellowship under BARC-Mumbai University MoU.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, 400 085, Mumbai, India

    R. Acharya

  2. Analytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, 400 085, Mumbai, India

    A. D. Shinde & A. V. R. Reddy

  3. Radioanalytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, 400 085, Mumbai, India

    S. Jeyakumar & M. K. Das

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  1. R. Acharya
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  2. A. D. Shinde
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  3. S. Jeyakumar
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  4. M. K. Das
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  5. A. V. R. Reddy
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Correspondence to R. Acharya.

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Acharya, R., Shinde, A.D., Jeyakumar, S. et al. Determination of trace concentrations of thorium in uranium oxide matrix by epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 298, 449–453 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2465-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2465-3

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