Abstract
This contribution describes the fabrication of plutonium-adsorptive membranes by non-solvent induced phase separation. The dope solution comprised poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a Pu-extractive copolymer additive of PVDF-g-poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate) (EGMP) in dimethylformamide (DMF). The effects of casting conditions on membrane permeability were determined for PVDF membranes prepared with 10 wt% PVDF-g-EGMP. Direct-flow filtration and alpha spectrometry showed that membranes containing the graft copolymer could recover Pu up to 59.9 ± 3.0% from deionized water and 19.3 ± 3.5% from synthetic seawater after filtering 10 mL of 0.5 Bq/mL 238Pu. SEM-EDS analysis indicated that the graft copolymer was distributed evenly throughout the entire depth of the copolymer membranes, likely attributing to the tailing observed in the alpha spectra for 238Pu. Despite the reduction in resolution, the membranes exhibited high Pu uptake at the conditions tested, and new membrane designs that promote copolymer surface migration are expected to improve alpha spectrometry peak energy resolutions. Findings from this study also can be used to guide the development of extractive membranes for chromatographic separation of actinides from contaminated groundwater sources.
Highlights
Received: 26 November 2021The development of rapid analytical tools for the detection of waterborne special nuclear materials is a critical focus of nuclear forensics efforts
FTIR analysis was performed on the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-g-EGMP copolymer to determine if it exhibited characteristic peaks of EGMP
Characteristic absorbance peaks for EGMP were noted at 1720 and 980 cm−1 assigned to C=O and P=O stretching, while peaks at 1400 and 880 cm−1 correspond to vibrational bands observed in semi-crystalline PVDF [16,17]
Summary
Received: 26 November 2021The development of rapid analytical tools for the detection of waterborne special nuclear materials is a critical focus of nuclear forensics efforts. Trace levels of Pu exist in the environment as a result of human nuclear activity, and while weapons testing accounts for the largest source of Pu, accidental releases from nuclear power and nuclear processing facilities have led to increased levels of Pu near those sites. The abundances of Pu isotopes in each source act as a unique signature or “fingerprint”, and the isotopic ratios can indicate where the Pu was produced and its final intended use. Unique Pu signatures can be traced to a particular production facility, and the 240 Pu/239 Pu ratio can elucidate the intended use for the produced Pu. The assembly of a fission-type nuclear weapon requires a reactor design and operation to promote the growth of 239 Pu while limiting the production of
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