Preparation of Thin α-Particle Sources Using Polypyrrole Films Functionalized by Alkylammonium Groups

Abstract

A new method for thin radioactive source preparation is presented based on two distinct steps: (1) -preparation of a thin film (area of several cm^) as a source support and (2) -incorporation of radioactive Clements by an ion exchange mechanism. The asources are prepared by simply immersing the specially prepared supports into solutions containing actinides. The thin films were obtained through electropolymerization of pyrrole monomers functionalized by anion-exchange groups. The physicochemical Parameters of the films such as deposit weight, thickness and roughness have been studied. The ion exchange characteristics of the polymer films are very similar to those of classical anionexchange resins. The Optimum actinide (uranium(VI), plutonium(IV) and americium(III) incorporation conditions (i.e. selection of the complexing agent and retention yields) have been investigated in detail.

Immobilization of actinide ions in thin layers of polypyrrole/polyacrylamidoglycolic acid (PPy/PAGA) composite. Application to the preparation of alpha spectrometry sources

“…From isolating polymer layers of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) [12] prepared in organic solvent by electrochemical grafting on various electrodes, we reported FWHM values ranging from 13 to 16 keV for the 238 U and 234 U double peaks. Stephan and Carrier [3], while preparing polypyrrole films functionalized by alkylammonium group in acetonitrile, evidenced 15 keV with 239 Pu under their best conditions. In those two papers, the activity fixed into the polymeric layers was much lower than the activity involved in this process: only 3.6 Bq for 237 Np (geometrical factor 0.83% of 4πsr; 1 cm 2 ) in polyacrylonitrile layer [12] and 15 Bq for 233 U (geometrical factor 8.2% of 4πsr; 1 cm 2 ) in alkylammonium polypyrrole [3].…”

“…Stephan and Carrier [3], while preparing polypyrrole films functionalized by alkylammonium group in acetonitrile, evidenced 15 keV with 239 Pu under their best conditions. In those two papers, the activity fixed into the polymeric layers was much lower than the activity involved in this process: only 3.6 Bq for 237 Np (geometrical factor 0.83% of 4πsr; 1 cm 2 ) in polyacrylonitrile layer [12] and 15 Bq for 233 U (geometrical factor 8.2% of 4πsr; 1 cm 2 ) in alkylammonium polypyrrole [3]. Higher activities are fixed in our process with layers of comparable thickness and area; no energy straggling due to the self-absorption of the actinide nuclei is observed.…”

“…We calculated a density of one 233 U nucleus for 200 nm 3 in Ref. [3] against one 233 U nucleus for 125 nm 3 in the PPy/PAGA thin layers. If we consider in turn the activities expressed in Bq/g, Stephan and Carrier [3] reported 480 000 Bq/g of PPy ( 233 U) while we reached a value of 800 000 Bq/g of PPy/PAGA for the same isotope.…”

“…A somewhat comparable system has been discussed by Stephan and Carrier [3] in view of the preparation of alpha sources. This process relies also on PPy thin films, the pyrrole monomer being previously functionalized by a positive alkylammonium group; it leads to the preparation of anionexchange resins.…”

Preparation of membranes by electropolymerization of pyrrole functionalized by a ferrocene group

“…Covalent linkage is generally preferred to encapsulation because of problems stemming from diffusing out of specific function. The functionalization of pyrrole and thiophene monomers using complexing agents like calixarene,7, 8 crown ethers,9–11 or pyridine12 and ion‐exchanger functions like alkylammonium,13 carboxylate,14 or sulfonate2, 15 was then performed with respect to ionic detection, permselective transport, and retention of heavy metals or radionuclides.…”