Electrodeposition and determination of nano-scale uranium and plutonium using alpha-spectroscopy

Summary A simple method was used to design and set up an electrodeposition device for the alpha-emitting nuclides. The designed electroplating facility is leak proof and simple in operation and dismantled. The effect of current, pH of electrolyte, and the plating time on the electrodeposition efficiency have been investigated in a sodium bisulphate, sulphuric acid electrolyte in order to determine the optimum conditions. It was shown that a current of 900-1000 mA, plating time of 80-90 minutes and pH range of 2-2.3 are the best conditions for deposition of nano-scale uranium and plutonium. In these circumstances, it was possible to deposit 0.004 ng ^. g^-1 Pu and 60 ng ^. g^-1 U in an electroplating planchette. The device and modified procedures were successfully applied for soil samples. Prior to electrodeposition of the elements, a column extraction chromatography has been used to separate the Pu and U and eliminate most matrix and interferences in environmental samples.