Removal of fission product tellurium and iodine from recently irradiated HEU using copper metal

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 333; no. 1
• Main Authors: Uhnak, Nicolas E., Saslow, Sarah A., Bowen, James M., Pierson, Bruce D., Arnold, Ean S., Beck, Chelsie L., Haney, Morgan M., Estrada, Jane H., Seiner, Brienne N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer 01.12.2023
• Subjects: copper; fission products; HEU; iodine; nuclear forensics; RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY; separation; tellurium
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780

Gamma detection of select fission products or activation products such as 153Sm and 239Np in a fission sample is difficult due to gamma interferences from radiotellurium and radioiodine. To aid in the detection of these difficult-to-detect nuclides, the radiotellurium and radioiodine were removed using Cu metal turnings. This method is highly effective at the removal of the interfering radionuclides removing > 98% of the radiotellurium and radioiodine. A mechanistic study was conducted. Determining the deposition mechanism, using a number of techniques including XANES and electrochemistry providing an understanding of the electrochemical path for the Te deposition. Initial work focused on the use of stable Te, further expanding into activated TeO2, and a fresh fission sample. Importantly, this method presents a rapid method for the direct detection of select fission products that could have a significant impact on nuclear related fields including nuclear forensics.