Chlorine loss from polyvinylchloride under neutron irradiation

PVC samples were irradiated for 1 hour with a thermal neutron flux of _th =4.71·10¹¹n·cm^–2·s^–1 and the chlorine lost during irradiation was measured by -ray spectrometry. About 15% of loss of chlorine has been observed for untreated samples while samples heated to temperatures of 60 and 80°C for one minute before irradiation have been found to loose about 8% and 3%, respectively. The results indicate an influence of the polymer structure on the release of chlorine.     

A gas flow proportional detection system for the determination of boron in aerosol samples and other sample types

This work describes the design, fabrication, and testing of a lucite bodied proportional gas detection system for the analysis of boron in selected samples via detection of the charged particles produced in the 10B(n,)⁷Li reaction induced by thermal neutrons. The detector was designed for internal placement of samples; the sample types of major interest were airborne aerosols collected on filters or particulate impaction plates. Samples were irradiated with the detector in the thermal neutron field produced in the graphite thermal column of the University of Lowell's one megawatt research reactor. Determined sensitivities for boron varied from 6.2·10^–8 to 1.73·10^–6 cpm·ng^–1 (n·cm^–2J·s^–1)^–1 depending on the physical characteristics of the samples. For a nominal counting time of ten minutes the lower limit of mass detection of natural boron was determined to be 12.1 nanograms. The analytical method was applied to the estimation of boron in fourteen samples of natural aerosols collected on membrane filters. Analysis of prepared samples and natural aerosol samples by ICP emission showed good agreement with analysis via the (n,) reaction. Application of the method to other sample types was demonstrated by the determination of boron in samples of borosilicate glass and borated polyethylene.     

Sulfurization of polymers. 6. Poly(vinylene polysulfide), poly(thienothiophene), and related structures from polyacetylene and elemental sulfur

Polyacetylene obtained by the dehydrochlorination of polyvinyl chloride in the NaOH—DMSO system undergoes sulfurization with elemental sulfur at 120—300 °C to liberate hydrogen sulfide and to form electroconducting (0.7·10^–12—5.8·10^–15Sm nm^–1) and paramagnetic (1.5·10¹⁷—1.7·10¹⁹sp g^–1, g = 2.0035—2.0045, H= 0.44—0.66 mT) dark powders with a metallic luster. Their IR spectra and comparison with the samples of sulfurized polyethylene show that sulfurized polyacetylene contains poly(vinylene polysulfide), poly(thienothiophene), and related structures. The polymers afford the cathode discharge capacity of lithium batteries up to 950 mA h g^–1(in the first cycle) and stable cycling at a level of 500—300 mA h g^–1(25 cycles).     

Chromatographische Trennung von Curium-242 und Americium-241 und die spektroskopische Überprüfung ihrer α-Aktivität

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine Trennung von²⁴²Cm und²⁴¹Am am Kationenaustauscher Dowex 50 W×8 mittels -Hydroxyisobutyratlösungen beschrieben, wobei Sm und Pm zur Markierung der Elutionspositionen von Cm und Am zugesetzt werden. Die Elemente werden in der Folge Sm–Cm–Pm–Am eluiert.Die Messung der -Aktivitäten mit Halbleiterdetektoren wurde an Tropf- und Molekularplatingproben vorgenommen.Aus etwa 2·10^–6 g²⁴¹Am, welches 400 Stdn. lang bestrahlt wurde, konnten etwa 4·10^–9 g²⁴²Cm, entsprechend 99,5% der beobachteten Gesamtaktivität, gewonnen werden.

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The separation of²⁴²Cm and²⁴¹Am with -hydroxyisobutyric solutions on the ion exchange resin Dowex 50 W×8 is described. Sm and Pm are used as indicators in order to mark the elution positions of Cm and Am. The elements are eluted in the order Sm–Cm–Pm–Am.Drop- and molecular plating samples were prepared for measuring the -activities with semiconductor detectors.About 2·10^–6 g²⁴¹Am yielded on activation for a period of 400 hours 4·10^–9 g²⁴²Cm corresponding to 99,5% of the observed total activity.

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Mit 2 Abbildungen     

Determination of boron traces in rye grass BCR 281 by isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Summary A method for the isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) determination of boron in rye grass at the 5 g · g^–1 level has been developed. The mass spectrometric measurements are performed using negative thermal ionization at masses 42 (¹⁰B¹⁶O¹⁶O^–) and 43 (¹¹B¹⁶O¹⁶O^–). The ¹⁰B/¹¹B ratios are corrected for the ¹⁰B¹⁶O¹⁷O^– contribution at mass 43 and for mass fractionation. The chemical blank is determined using the standard addition method. The numerical calculations are done with a least square fit computer program. The method has been applied for the certification of boron in BCR 281 (Rye Grass). The boron content of this reference material has been established as (5.64±0.56) g·g^–1.

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Bestimmung von Borspuren in Rye Grass BCR 281 durch Isotopenverdünnungs-Massenspektrometrie

     

Determination of trace concentration of boron in ADU by the nuclear track technique

A method for the determination of boron concentration in extracted (NH₄)₂ U₂O₇·H₂O (ADU) has been used. One ml of the aqueous solution is irradiated with thermal neutrons from a 10 Ci Am/Be neutron source with a flux of 0.2·10⁵ n·cm^–2·s^–1 and thermal column in the IRT-5000 with a flux of about 10⁷ n·cm^–2·s^–1. The alpha-activity due to the reaction¹⁰B(n, )⁷Li is recorded by a CR-39 alpha track detector. After the exposure, the alpha tracks are made visible in an optical microscope at magnification of 800X by etching the detector in 6N NaOH, and the track density is determined using calibration curves of known concentrations of boron. The boron concentration of the extracted ADU was found to be 5 ppm.     

Top soil environmental radioactivity in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria

A survey of top soil environmental radioactivity in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria has bean investigated. The results vary considerably from one environment to another ranging between a minimum of 161 mBq·g^–1 and a maximum value of 648 mBq·g^–1 -activity. The work reveals that hospitals and health centres lead in top soil radioactivity with the highest mean values of (378 mBq·g^–1) and (294 mBq·g^–1) followed closely by industrial areas with mean values of (372 mBq·g^–1) and (283 mBq· g^–1) trailing beaches and recreation centres having average values of (364 mBq·g^–1) and (273 mBq·g^–1). Lower levels of top soil radioactivity were observed mostly in environments with high level human interaction activity such as schools, offices, environments and recreation centres. An overall top soil mean of 342 mBq·g^–1 -activity, 271 mBq·g^–1 -activity and 71 mBq·g^–1 -activity were observed in the State.     

Trace element analysis of some shaving powders commonly marketed in Nigeria using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) technique has been employed viak ₀ approximation method to determine elemental composition of five shaving powders commonly marketed in Nigeria. Fe displayed the highest concentrations in the range 1000–2000 g·g^–1. Na and Zn concentrations were established in the range 200–400 g·g^–1. Heavy elements like Ga, La, Cr, Co, Ag, Ce and Nd concentrations were noted in the lower range of 1–10 g·g^–1 Br, As, Sb, Sm, Eu, W, Cs, Tb, Yb, Hf, Ta, Th and U concentrations were established in even lower traces in the <1 g·g^–1 range. Results obtained for a certified reference material, CANMET BL-1 and CERT (in house) Kaolin standard compared favourably with the literature values thus establishing the results presented for the shaving powders.     

Investigation of thermal properties of some basalt samples in Egypt

This work aims in studying the temperature dependence of the thermal properties (thermal diffusivity, k, specific heat, C _p and thermal conductivity, ) of some basalt group samples, collected from different regions in the eastern desert of Egypt. The thermal properties of these samples were measured in the temperature range from r.t. to 900 K. The average values of the thermal conductivity of these investigated samples lie in the range from 0.4·10^–3 to 2.01·10^–3 cal cm^–1 s^–1 K^–1. This means that these samples are considered as thermal insulating materials. The thermogravimetric analysis (TG) confirmed that these investigated samples are dry rocks. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that these rock samples have a crystalline phase, the peaks of XRD have a small change in their location as a result of heat treatment. This behaviour was attributed to the oxidation and firing of some minerals after the heat treatment.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Activation analysis of selenium in organic samples,through selenium-77m,on a pre-separation basis

A method is described to separate trace amounts of selenium in organic samples without using a carrier, based on the adsorption on active carbon filters of the complex formed with APDC at pH 1.5. The separation is made prior to the neutron irradiation and the correction for selenium in the reagents performed by the irradiation of a blank. The method has been successfully used in fodder samples as well as some other organic reference materials, using a fast pneumatic transfersystem, which takes the samples from the irradiation position to the counting position in 3s, with the only limitation of the thermal neutron flux available, 4.7·10¹¹ cm^–2·s^–1. Detection limits of 0.1 g are obtained under these experimental conditions.     

Sulfurization of polymers. 5. Poly(6-methyl-5-sulfanylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine-4-thione), poly(thieno[2,3-b]azepine-4,5(6H)-dithione), and related structures from poly(2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine) and elemental sulfur

Poly(2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine) is sulfurized with elemental sulfur at 140—320 °C to release hydrogen sulfide and to give black lustrous powders (sulfur content up to 45%) possessing electric conductivity (6.4·10^–11—1.6·10^–7 S cm^–1), paramagnetism (spin concentration 6.2·10¹⁸—5.0·10¹⁹ sp g^–1, g = 2.0043—2.0046, H = 0.49—0.58 mT), and redox and complex-forming properties. Elemental analysis data, IR, ESR, and mass spectra, DSC and TGA data, electric conductivity, electrochemical activity and chemical properties (salt formation and complexation) of the materials synthesized correspond to cross-liked poly(6-methyl-5-sulfanylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine-4-thione), poly(thieno[2,3-b]azepine-4,5(6H)-dithione), and related structures.     

Measurement of30Si as a tracer by neutron-induced prompt gamma-ray analysis

The application of stable isotope analysis using neutron-induced prompt -ray analysis (PGA) with cold/thermal neutron beams for the tracer study of geological materials are discussed. Silicon has three natural isotopes differing in abundance:²⁸Si (92.23%),²⁹Si (4.67%) and³⁰Si (3.10%). For the purpose of the assessment of Si migration in engineered barrier material, enriched³⁰Si can be used as a tracer due to its nuclear and chemical properties. Isotope analysis of³⁰Si was performed by PGA during the tracer study. Neutron intensity at the sample position was 1.4·10⁸ n¢cm^–2·s^–1, 2.4·10⁷ n·cm^–2·s^–1 for cold and themal neutron guided beams of JRR-3M, respectively. Calibration curves and analytical sensitivity of³⁰Si were determined based on measurement of standard samples. BG and detection limits for³⁰Si analysis were also measured in Japanese bentonite (Kunigel V1 and Kunipia F) and their pore water. Fiffteen elements were determined simultaneously using PGA.     

Solvent extraction and spectrophotometric determination of titanium (IV) with 3-phenyl-3-methyl-2-mercaptopropenoic acid by use of the synergistic effect of pyridine

Summary The distribution equilibria of 3-phenyl-3-methyl-2-mercaptopropenoic acid (PhMMP), pyridine and the titanium (IV)-PhMMP complex in the presence of pyridine have been studied in the chloroform-water system. An extraction-photometric method for the determination of micro amounts of titanium has been developed. The synergistic effect of pyridine, and the influence of pH, the reagent concentration and the presence of electrolytes and masking agents on the equilibrium have been determined. From slope analysis of the distribution curves, the composition of the extracted species has been found to be Ti(OH)₂(HR)₂·py. The complex is extracted quantitatively. Beer's law is obeyed over the range 0.09–4.30g/ml titanium (IV) and the molar absorptivity is 1.30×10⁴1·mole^–1·cm^–1 at 447 nm. The method has been applied to the determination of titanium in ceramics.

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Über die Extraktion und spektrophotometrische Bestimmung von Titan(IV) mit 3-Phenyl-3-methyl-2-mercaptopropensäure mit Hilfe der synergistischen Wirkung des Pyridins

Zusammmenfassung Das Verteilungsgleichgewicht von 3-Phenyl-3-methyl-2-mercaptopropensäure (PhMMP), Pyridin und Titan-PhMMP-Komplex in Gegenwart von Pyridin wurde in einem Wasser-Chloroform-System untersucht. Eine extraktionsphotometrische Methode für die Bestimmung von Mikromengen Titan(IV) wurde ausgearbeitet. Die synergistische Wirkung des Pyridins sowie der Einfluß des pH, des Reagens und der Gegenwart von Elektrolyten und maskierenden Reagenzien in der wäßrigen Phase auf das Gleichgewicht wurden bestimmt. Aus der Richtung der Verteilungskurven wurde für den extrahierten Komplex die Zusammensetzung Ti(OH)₂(HR)₂·py ermittelt. Der Komplex wird quantitativ extrahiert. Das Beersche Gesetz ist von 0,09–4,30g·ml^–1 Ti(IV) erfüllt, der molare Absorptionskoeffizient ist 1,13·10⁴1·mol^–1·cm^–1; die Sandell-Empfindlichkeit beträgt 3,7ng·cm^–2 bei 447 nm. Diese Methode wurde für die Bestimmung von Titan in keramischem Material verwendet.

     

Sorption of hafnium on hydrous titanium oxide using radiotracer technique

The sorption of hafnium on hydrous titanium oxide (TiO₂·1.94 H₂O) has been studied in detail. Maximum sorption of hafnium can be achieved from a pH 7 buffer solution containing boric acid and sodium hydroxide using 50 mg of the oxide after 30 minutes shaking. The value ofk _d, the rate constant of intraparticle transport for hafnium sorption, from 0.01M hydrochloric and perchloric acid and pH 7 buffer solutions has been found to be 17 mmole·g^–1·min^–2. The kinetics of hafnium sorption follows Lagergren equation in 0.01M HCl solution only. The values of the overall rate constantK=6.33·10^–2 min^–1 and of the rate constant for sorptionk ₁=6.32·10^–2 min^–1 and desorptionk ₂=2.28·10^–5 min^–1 have been evaluated using linear regression analysis. The value of correlation factor() is 0.9824. The influence of hafnium concentration on its sorption has been examined from 4.55·10^–5 to 9.01·10^–4 M from pH 7 buffer solution. The sorption data followed only the Langmuir sorption isotherm. The saturation capacity of 9.52 mmole·g^–1 and of a constant related to sorption energy have been estimated to be 2917 dm³·mole^–1. Among all the additional anions and cations tested only citrate ions reduce the sorption significantly. Under optimal experimental conditions selected for hafnium sorption, As(III), Sn(V), Co(II), Se(IV) and Eu(III) have shown higher sorption whereas Mn(II), Ag(I) and Sc(III) are sorbed to a lesser extent. It can be concluded that a titanium oxide bed can be used for the preconcentration and removal of hafnium and other metal ions showing higher sorption from their very dilute solutions. The oxide can also be employed for the decontamination of radioactive liquid waste and for pollution abatement studies.     

Optical and gamma irradiation studies of morin in ethanol

Spectral studies of morin in aqueous ethanol and other alcohols have been carried out as a function of its concentration and that of ethanol, and the pH of aqueous buffer. The effect of gamma radiations on morin solution in ethanol was also studied as a function of dose in the range of 0.15–2.28 kGy and of morin concentration (10^–5–10^–4 mole·dm^–3). Morin concentration in ethanol solution showed a linear response for G values to a dose of 1.83 kGy. Molar absorption coefficients () for morin in ethanol have been estimated to be _260nm=2.28·10⁴ dm³·mol^–1·cm^–1 and _291nm=8.22·10³ dm³·mol^–1·cm^–1 for unirradiated and _{291 nm}=1.75·10⁴ dm³·mol^–1·cm^–1 for irradiated solutions to a dose of 1.83 kGy.     

Preparation and characterization of a series of poly(acrylamide-co-acrylates), with a copolymer composition between 0–96.3 mol-% acrylate units with the same degree and distribution of polymerization

A series of linear poly(acrylamide-co-acrylates) (PAAm/AAcNa) has been prepared covering a copolymer composition between 0 and 96.3 mol% acrylate units, which have the same degrees of polymerization and chain length distributions. Measurements of viscosity and light scattering have proven that maximum coil dimensions of PAAm/ AAcNa in salt solutions are achieved at about 67 mole-% AAcNa. This so-called maximum behaviour was researched by measuring the radius of gyration, second virial coefficient, molecular weight, preferential solvation, viscosity and absorption bands of the copolymer series. Thus, an increase in the possible ways of arranging AAcNa-AAm-AAcNa units (via H-bonds) will lead to extended coil dimensions and therefore influence the viscosity. In addition, it can therefore be concluded from all these results that the maximum behaviour is real and not influenced by the different distributions of the samples. The copolymer composition can be easily determined by infra-red spectroscopy by use of a proposed relation.Abbreviations A₂ second virial coefficient (mole · cm³ · g^–2) - AAm acrylamide - AAcH acrylic acid - AAcNa sodium acrylate - c polymer concentration (g · cm^–3) - salt concentration (g · cm^–3), (Val · cm^–3) - C _LS critical concentration obtained by light scattering (g · cm^–3) - d _[] viscosity equivalent diameter of a sphere (nm) - E extinction - FW _s formula weights of salt - g _s gram of salt - g _p gram of polymer - GuaCl guanidinium chloride - h ^21/2 root mean square end-to-end distance (nm) - K optical constant for unpolarized incident light (mole · cm² · g^–2) - M molarity (mole · 1^–1) - M _w weight average molecular weight (g · mole^–1) - N _L Avogadro constant 6.023 · 10²³ mole^–1 - P _n number average degree of polymerization - P _w weight average degree of polymerization - PAAm poly(acrylamide) - PAAcH poly(acrylic acid) - PAAcNa poly(sodium acrylate) - PAAm/AAcNa poly(acrylamide-co-sodium acrylate) - R _[] Rayleigh ratio of the scattering at angle (cm^–1) - R _G ² _Z ^1/2 root mean square average radius of gyration (nm) - R _[] viscosity equivalent radius of a sphere (nm) - T temperature (°C), (K) - u excluded volume (cm³ · g^–1) - V molar volume (cm³ · mole^–1) - V _s partial specific volume - X mole fraction - (NH₂) oscillation of deformation - extinction coefficient - ₀ zero shear viscosity (Pa · s), (mPa · s) - _red reduced viscosity (cm³ · g^–1) - [] intrinsic viscosity (cm³ · g^–1) - _a constant of preferential solvation (g · g^–1) - ₀ wavelength of light in vacuo (nm) - chemical potential - v _as stretching vibration - scattering angle (°)     

On the expansion of hole in main chain polymers determined by positron annihilation

The temperature dependence of positron annihilation characteristics, ₃ andI ₃, has been studied on sample of poly(butadiene), poly(isobutylene) and poly(chloroprene). The temperature range was between 15 and 470 K. The rate of expansion of holes or free-volume in all samples was deduced belowT _g as well aboveT _g as appr. 3·10^–3 K^–1 and 2·10^–2 K^–1, respectively. These values are very close to the rate of the mean squared displacement of scatterer<r ²>observed in neutron scattering experiments. A possibility to use an inverse value of free-volume,V _f ^–1 for study of viscoelastic state of polymers is demonstrated.     

Extraction and neutron activation analysis of humic substances

Methods are described for the isolation of humaic substances from a soil samples. The produres and based on extractions with sodium hydroxide or sodium pyrophosphate. Four of the humic samples were dried and then analysed by thermal neutron activation analysis. The humic samples along with three standard rocks were irradiated for 15 hours in a flux of 10¹² n·cm^–2·s^–1. Counting was carried out using both a large volume Ge(Li) detector and a high resolution LEP detertor. Quantitative analysis was based on the known element concentrations in the standard rocks. The elements determined were Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, As, Se, Br, Mo, Sb, La, Ce, Eu, Hf, Ta, Th, and U. concentrations ranged from 0.02 ppm (La) to 7900 ppm (Fe).     

Spectrophotometric Determination of Thorium with Disodium Salt of Arsenazo-III in Perchloric Acid

A rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of thorium using 0.04% Arsenazo-III in a 2M perchloric acid solution. Absorbance was measured in 1 cm cell and the complex has a sensitive absorption peak at 654 nm. The complex is formed instantly in perchloric acid and remains stable for 45 minutes with constant absorbance. Beer's law is obeyed in the range 1–60 g·g^–1 of thorium concentration with a molar absorptivity at 654 nm = 3.07·10⁵ M^–1·cm^–1 at 24±2°C. The foreign ions interference in thorium determination have been checked. The cations were tested at >60-fold excess of thorium, Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) interfere negatively, whereas only Ce(III) has increased the absorbance. Among the anions, cyanide, phosphate, thiocyanate and acetate at 150-fold excess of thorium cause significant interference. However, thorium can bedetermined in the presence of nitrate, chloride, oxalate, tartrate, ascorbate, thiosulphate and citrate. The method has been applied on certified reference material for thorium determination after extractive separation and the result was found in good agreement with the certified value. The method has been also applied successfully to determine thorium at g·g^–1 level in local ore samples with a precision of ±0.04%.     

Analysis of210Po in marine samples

A method for determining²¹⁰Po in marine samples by wet dissolution, deposition onto silver disc and counting by -spectrometry is described. Recovery of polonium was obtained with²⁰⁸Po tracer.²¹⁰Po levels in fish from the Brazilian coast and sediments from Antarctic region were determined. Levels in fish ranged from 0.5 to 5.3 Bq·kg^–1 wet and for sediments, mean values of 10 mBq·kg^–1 were obtained.