Preparation of 134Cs sealed source based on WO3 adsorbent for radiometric calibration purposes

Abstract

Cesium-134 artylon sealed source based on inorganic adsorbent (as a core) was easily prepared. The sealed source was in the form of a disk constituted of two halves; base and top. Cesium-134 was adsorbed by equilibration of 134CsCl solution with WO3 inorganic adsorbent at pH 4 for 24 h at 25±1°C. Then, the liquid phase was decanted and checked for the remaining activity. Thereafter, the 134Cs-loaded WO3 was dried at 100 °C for 24 h. A definite weight the 134Cs-loaded WO3 adsorbent was placed in the central cavity of the base half-disk. Then the two half-disks were assembled using a commercial epoxy adhesive. The activity values of the sealed source were 7.81×10-2 and 7.70×10-2 Ci, calculated by using the absolute efficiency curve and DETEFF software were found to be closest at a 5 cm source-detector distance; respectively. After radiometric standardization and encapsulation, the sealed source was checked radiometrically before release to the local market for calibration purposes of radiation measurement and identification instruments.