Multielement analysis of foods by neutron capture prompt γ-ray activation analysis

A method is described for the determination of H, B, Cl, K, Na, S, Ca, and Cd in foods using in-beam neutron capture prompt -ray activation analysis. Special calibration procedures were necessary because of matrix-related thermal neutron scattering-induced sensitivity and background enhancements. Detection limits and sensitivities are presented for best-case and worst-case irradiation conditions. The method was applied to multielement analysis of 41 foods and to B, Cl, and K analysis of 13 orange juice produts in conjunction with analysis by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The purpose of the latter application was to study B losses during acid digestion.     

The natural radioactivity of aluminium as determined by γ-ray spectroscopy

The intrinsic radioactivity of aluminium has been investigated by a shielded Ge(Li) -spectrometer. Strong disequilibrium was found in the natural decay chains of U and Th caused by the elimination of Ra during aluminium production.     

Introduction of multiple γ-ray detection to charged particle activation analysis

Charged particle activation analysis (CPAA) is a rapid method with high accuracy which can analyze multi-elements simultaneously. Since multiple γ-ray detection method is expected to improve the detection efficiency and the signal-to-noise ratio, we study what design of the γ-ray detector array is the most suitable for CPAA. We take up four design candidates and investigated the responses by the radiation simulation code Geant 4. From the results, we have deduced the best design with 5 germanium detectors in close geometry. By inspecting the sensitivity in CPAA, the method is proved to be useful and applicable to 116 nuclides.

     

Eosin photodegradation over TiO2 modified by γ-ray irradiation

TiO₂ thin films are elaborated by sol gel on glass substrates and irradiated with ⁶⁰Co γ-rays. The X-ray diffraction, UV-Visible spectroscopy and transport properties are investigated. The films are nominally non stochiometric and the conductivity occurs by thermally activated hopping of lattice polaron. The oxygen vacancies induced by γ-ray irradiation at lower dose (<10 kGy) generate mixed valences Ti⁴⁺/³⁺, thus altering the transport properties. The photo-electrochemical characterisation is undertaken to evaluate the photo catalytic performance. The Mott-Schottky plots are characteristic of n type conduction from which a flat band potential of ?0.62 V _SCE and a donor density of 5 × 10¹⁷ cm^?3 are determined for the most active film. The Nyquist plot exhibits a semi-circular arc whose center lies below the real axis, due to the constant phase element (CPE). The energy band diagram shows the potentiality of the films for the eosin photodegradation. 68% of initial concentration (10 mg L^?1) disappears after 2 h of exposure to the solar light. TiO₂ irradiated with gamma dose of 10 kGy shows the best efficiency, due to the resistance decrees and high electron mobility (25 cm² V^?1 s^?1). The eosin oxidation follows a first order kinetic with a rate constant of 6 × 10^?2 min^?1.     

Fast responsive poly(N-sopropylacrylamide) hydrogels prepared by γ-ray irradiation

γ-ray irradiation of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomer. solution resulted in the formation of the opaque poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) gel having a microporous structure. The thermo-responsive properties of the microporous gel were the same as that of a homogeneous gel prepared by conventional methods. The gel swelled below and shrunk above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) (33 °C). The rapid and reversible volume change was observed by changing temperature.     

Thermal analysis of hybrid materials prepared by γ-irradiation

Hybrid materials were prepared by γ-irradiation of a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and zirconium propoxide (PrZr), using a ⁶⁰Co γ source, without any addition of solvents. Thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the obtained hybrids are amorphous materials of the nanocomposite type. The results highlighted the different influence of each of the metallic alkoxides on the hybrid structure. The material rupture temperature, associated with the degradation of the organic component, depends mainly on the TEOS content, whereas the inorganic component structural stability depends on the relative PrZr content in the alkoxides mixture.     

Simultaneous determination of 14N and 15N isotopes in opium by proton induced γ-ray emission technique

The paper describes the simultaneous determination of ¹⁴N and ¹⁵N isotopes in opium by proton induced γ-ray emission (PIGE) technique. The isotopic ratio of ¹⁴N and ¹⁵N is a useful parameter for assigning provenance of (seized) illicit drugs. The measurement, non-destructive in nature, is performed on pellets made up of opium powders and is based on the prompt detection of 2.313 and 4.4 MeV γ-rays emanating from ¹⁴N(p,p′γ)¹⁴N and ¹⁵N(p,αγ)¹²C nuclear reactions respectively, induced simultaneously by 3.6–3.8 MeV proton beam. Positive as well as negative deviations from the natural isotopic abundance (99.63:0.37) were observed in the samples. The precision of the measurements is about 4%. The methodology provides an easy and rapid approach to determine the isotopic ratio of ¹⁴N and ¹⁵N and has been used for the first time in the analysis of opium.     

Suitable dose of 60Co γ-ray for mutation in Roegneria seeds

Seeds from six accessions of three species of Roegneria were radiated with ⁶⁰Co γ-ray at different doses (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 400 Gy). Following these treatments, germination energy, germination rate, seedling height, plant height, plant survival, and seed set were observed. Plant survival was highly correlated with seedling height (R ² > 0.91, P < 0.01) and seed set (R ² > 0.82, P < 0.01). The semi-lethal dose of each accession, calculated using a ‘Multi-target single-hit’ model, ranged from 60 to 173 Gy. The most suitable absorbed doses for each accession were deduced from these data. The suitable doses for Roegneria kamoji, Roegneria ciliaris and Roegneria japonensis were 65–100 Gy, 63–150 Gy and 80–170 Gy, respectively. According to the range of suitable doses, R. kamoji (Pr87-88-353) was the most sensitive to radiation, and R. japonensis (88-89-267) was the most resistant to radiation. Suitable doses of R. ciliaris were close to that of R. kamoji (ZY1007). This research provides preliminary guidelines for radiation induced mutagenesis in Roegneria.     

Decomposition of aqueous fluorene by γ-rays and product analysis

Fluorene degradation was investigated in aqueous solution, saturated with air or N₂O as a function of the absorbed radiation dose. The observed initial degradation yields (Gi values) are 2.41 and 1.04, respectively. In addition to these series, also studies were performed in media containing: 90% air and 10% N₂O (Gi=1.1), 50% air and 50% N₂O (Gi=0.9) and 10% air and 90% N₂O (Gi=0.5). In all cases, as major degradation products 9-fluorenone and 9-fluorene carboxylic acid were found in addition to a mixture of aldehydes and carboxylic acids. Their yield depends on the starting pollutant concentration, absorbed radiation dose and oxygen content in the solution. For explanation of the results, probable reaction mechanisms are given.     

Radioactivity in coral skeletons and marine sediments collected from the St. Martin’s Island of Bangladesh

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Although the coral island ‘St. Martin’s’ serves as the most attractive place for leisure and tourism, but no data on...     

Intensity of the 1001 keV γ-ray in the decay of234mPa

The intensity of the 1001 keV -ray occurring in the decay of^234mPa in equilibrium with natural uranium sources is found to be (0.818±0.030)%. This value is in agreement with a recent measurement employing depleted uranium sources, but does not agree with earlier reports employing radiochemically pure sources.     

Sediment dating and groundwater residence time in the lower basin of the Var river by radiochemistry and γ-ray spectrometry methods

A method for dating sediment core layers from the Var riverbed was developed. The signature of the Chernobyl event was detected in the layer sequence by γ-ray spectrometry of ¹³⁷Cs and correlated to the flow amplitude from the historical records.The residence time of groundwater in the aquifer of the lower Var valley was determined by measuring activity ratios of radium isotopes in well water samples.     

Introduction of unsaturated pendant groups to polyethylene by γ-ray irradiation under a 1,3-butadiene atmosphere

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (Mˉ _v: 5 × 10⁶, 100-times elongated film) was irradiated with γ-rays under a 1,3-butadiene atmosphere at room temperature. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements indicated that the radicals formed on the polyethylene substrate during the irradiation were short-lived. EPR, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, solid-state NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry of the as-irradiated materials indicated that butadiene molecules were covalently bound to the polyethylene chains as pendant groups bearing trans-vinylene and vinyl functions in a ratio of 3:1. Some crosslinks among the pendants, or between pendants and the main chains were produced. The number of unsaturated pendants introduced (including bridges) per carbon atom of the polyethylene main chain was dependent on the irradiation dose and the butadiene pressure, and was 0.096 butadiene units for 10 kGy irradiation under a 304 kPa butadiene atmosphere. The unsaturated pendants or bridges on the polyethylene chain thus introduced may be good targets to functionalize polyethylene by covalent modification. Received: 22 February 1999 Accepted in revised form: 30 June 1999     

Uptake of oxygen in a coal standard reference material® determined by fast (14-MeV) neutron activation analysis

A fast (14-MeV) neutron activation analysis procedure was employed to directly measure mass fractions of oxygen in coal samples. The procedure demonstrated sufficient precision and accuracy to determine a relative change of about 5% or more, in the oxygen mass fraction of about 12%. The procedure was applied to test samples of the newly developed SRM 1632c Trace Elements in Coal (Bituminous). The samples had been stored at three conditions: in liquid nitrogen vapor and at room temperature in the original containers packaged under argon, and for accelerated aging at 50 °C open to air. Following six months storage increments, duplicate samples of each of twelve bottles of the SRM were measured for each storage condition. In addition each sample was processed through ten separate analytical runs yielding a total of some 720 measurements per storage duration. Oxygen was determined by comparison to a primary standard potassium dichromate and the accuracy of the method was assessed through the analysis of replicate samples of three reference materials that are certified for oxygen content. The initial 6-months test period indicated uptake of oxygen in the open-air storage.     

Assay of uranium in crude diuranate cakes and MgF2 slag produced at the natural uranium conversion plants by γ-ray spectrometry

A transmission-corrected -ray counting method has been employed for the assay of uranium in crude Na₂U₂O₇ cakes produced at the Uranium Conversion Facilities. A 3×3 NaI(TI) detector was used in conjunction with a 400-channel analyzer. The observed count rate of the 1 MeV -ray emitted by the²³⁸U in the sample was corrected for sample self-attenuation, measured with a⁶⁵Zn (-energy 1115 keV) transmission source. A calibration factor determined by measuring a standard of known amount of radioactive material in the same form and geometry as the unknown sample was used to convert the transmission corrected count rate to the amount of uranium in the weighted sample. Another -spectrometric method is described for the assay of the U-content in the MgF₂ slag produced during the magnesiothermic reduction of UF₄ to U-metal ingots at the natural U-conversion plant.     

Antimicrobial Expanded Polytetrauoroethylene Film Prepared by γ-ray Radiation Induced Grafting of Poly(acrylic acid)

The simultaneous γ-ray-radiation-induced grafting polymerization of acrylic acid on ex-panded polytetra fluoroethylene (ePTFE) lm was investigated. It was found that the degree of grafting (DG) of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) can be controlled by the monomer concentration, absorbed dose, and dose rate under an optimal inhibitor concentration of [Fe²⁺]=18 mmol/L. SEM observation showed that the macroporous structure in ePTFE films would be covered gradually with the increase of the DG of PAA. The prepared ePTFE-g-PAA film was im-mersed in a neutral silver nitrate solution to fabricate an ePTFE-g-PAA/Ag hybrid film afterthe addition of NaBH₄ as a reduction agent of Ag to Ag atom. SEM, XRD, and XPS results proved that Ag nanoparticles with a size of several tens of nanometers to 100 nanometers were in situ immobilized on ePTFE film. The loading capacity of Ag nanoparticles could be tuned by the DG of PAA, and determined by thermal gravimetric analysis. The quan-titative antibacterial activity of the obtained ePTFE-g-PAA/Ag hybrid lms was measured using counting plate method. It can kill all the Escherichia coli in the suspension in 1 h. Moreover, this excellent antibacterial activity can last at least for 4 h. This work provides a facile and practical way to make ePTFE meet the demanding antimicrobial requirement in more and more practical application areas.     

Uncertainty calculation of functions of γ-ray detector efficiency and its usage in comparator experiments

A generalized uncertainty calculation formalism has been applied to the ratio and product of γ-ray detector efficiencies at different energies. The correlation decreases the uncertainty of the efficiency ratio for close energy values but increases the uncertainty for their product. Applications of the results are presented for comparator experiments applicable in PGAA and partial γ-ray cross section calculations, and for the uncertainties of true coincidence corrections.     

Preparation of samples by extraction of particles from filter media for γ-ray spectrometry with high detection efficiency

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The exposed filter media are usually compressed into disks for γ-ray spectrometry in atmospheric particulate radionuclide monitoring. A novel...