Radio-green chemistry and nature resourced radiochemistry

The birth of green chemistry in 1990 influenced every branch of sciences including radiochemistry. The development of new radiochemical methods is now dictated by the green chemistry mandates, especially in terms of choosing solvents and reagents. Though there are numbers of environmentally benign reagents and solvents, but sometime atom economy is not fully maintained in the manufacturing process. A newer trend is to use chemicals from natural resources. This new trend in radiochemistry may be termed as “Nature Resourced Radiochemistry”. The development in last two decades in “Radio-green Chemistry” and “Nature Resourced Radiochemistry” has been briefly discussed in the review.     

Separation of bulk Pb and Bi from proton irradiated lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) target by DGA-N and TK-200 resins

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Poly (vinyl alcohol)-ethylene glycol (PVA-EG) composites were geared up using casting method. The PVA-EG composite films have been irradiated at...     

Separation of NCA 88Zr from proton irradiated natY target: a novel approach using low cost bio-sorbent potato peel charcoal

Separation of no-carrier-added (NCA) ⁸⁸Zr from natural yttrium target irradiated with proton beam has been studied using nature-resourced material, potato peel, which is a commonly available domestic waste. Here, an attempt has been undertaken to exploit natural resource as separating agent. Good separation of NCA ⁸⁸Zr from bulk Yttrium target could be achieved at 0.01 M HCl concentration, when extraction was carried out using 20 mg potato peel charcoal—a natural bio-sorbent. ⁸⁸Zr was extracted in the solid phase leaving behind bulk Y in the aqueous phase.

     

Production and separation of no-carrier-added 48V from 16O irradiated chlorine target

The viability of ground coal bottom ash as a potential Portland cement constituent to be used in building materials is assessed. Currently, coal fly ash is used to produce Portland cements and concretes. However, coal bottom ash is mainly landfilled. Gamma spectrometry analysis, compressive strength, physical and chemical testing were performed. The ground coal bottom ash activity concentration index (I = 1.03) was compared to that of the coal fly ash (I = 1.11) provided from the same thermo-electrical power plant. Ground coal bottom ash could be used in building materials in the same way as coal fly ash as a Portland cement constituent.