Standard Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The determination of actinide elements by alpha spectrometry measurement is an essential part of many environmental research and monitoring programs. Alpha spectrometry measurements identify and quantify the alpha-emitting actinide elements. A variety of separation methods will typically preceed the electrodeposition of a sample for alpha spectrometry measurements. In addition to the electrodeposition procedure presented in this practice, the scientific literature contains other procedures for actinide electrodeposition.
Note 1—An alternate method for mounting actinides for alpha spectrometry measurements by coprecipitation with neodymium fluoride is described in Test Methods C 1163.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of separated actinide fractions for alpha spectrometry measurement.  It is applicable to any of the actinides that can be dissolved in dilute ammonium sulfate solution. Examples of applicable actinide fractions would be the final elution from an ion exchange separation or the final strip from a solvent extraction separation.
1.2  This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
31-May-2005
Technical Committee
Drafting Committee
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM C1284-00(2005) - Standard Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:C1284–00(Reapproved2005)
Standard Practice for
Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1284; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope measurementsidentifyandquantifythealpha-emittingactinide
elements. A variety of separation methods will typically
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of separated ac-
preceed the electrodeposition of a sample for alpha spectrom-
tinide fractions for alpha spectrometry measurement. It is
etry measurements. In addition to the electrodeposition proce-
applicabletoanyoftheactinidesthatcanbedissolvedindilute
dure presented in this practice, the scientific literature contains
ammonium sulfate solution. Examples of applicable actinide
other procedures for actinide electrodeposition.
fractions would be the final elution from an ion exchange
separation or the final strip from a solvent extraction separa-
NOTE 1—An alternate method for mounting actinides for alpha spec-
tion.
trometry measurements by coprecipitation with neodymium fluoride is
described in Test Methods C1163.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Interferences
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 Any element present in the separated fraction which is
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
capable of cathodic electrodeposition will be present on the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
metal disc. In particular Po (5.30 MeV) deposited on the
2. Referenced Documents
disc would interfere with the yield determination of U (5.32
MeV) or Am (5.28 MeV) tracers used in the determination
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of isotopic uranium and Am, respectively.
C1163 Practice for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spec-
5.2 Incomplete separation of rare earth elements or incom-
trometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
plete wet ashing for the removal of organic material will
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
decrease the efficiency of the electrodeposition and may result
3. Summary of Practice
in a thick deposit unsuitable for alpha spectrometry measure-
ment.
3.1 Guidance is provided for the electrodeposition of sepa-
−2
5.3 The quantity of actinide should be such that <5 µg cm
rated actinide fractions onto metal discs.This practice is based
are electrodeposited on the metal disc. Thicker deposits are
on cathodic deposition of the hydrated oxides of the actinides
typically unsuitable for measurement by alpha spectrometry
from an acidic medium containing an ammonium salt. The
due to the resulting attenuation and decrease in energy resolu-
resultant electrodeposited samples are suitable for alpha spec-
tion.
trometry measurements.
6. Apparatus
4. Significance and Use
6.1 Electrodeposition Power Supply—Constant current, ad-
4.1 The determination of actinide elements by alpha spec-
justable from 0 to 2 A with indicating meter.
trometry measurement is an essential part of many environ-
6.2 Electrodeposition Cell—Disposable cells are recom-
mental research and monitoring programs.Alpha spectrometry
mended.The cells should have a minimum volume capacity of
25 mL.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
6.3 Metal Discs—Stainless steel disc, or other metal disc
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
such as platinum, polished to a mirror finish on one side. The
Test.
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally
diameter of the disc is determined by diameter of the elec-
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as C1284-00. DOI:
trodepositioncell.Thecurrentdensityshouldbeapproximately
10.1520/C1284-00R05.
−2
2 0.5Acm of the disc area.
Based on Talvitie, N. A., “ Electrodeposition of Actinides for Alpha Spectro-
6.4 Electrodeposition Anode—The exact dimensions of the
metric Determination,” Analytical Chemistry, Vol 44, 1972, pp. 280–283.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
anodewillbedeterminedbythecross-sectionalareaanddepth
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
of the electrodeposition cell. For example, a 1.5 mm diameter
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
by 100 mm long platinum wire with loop facing the cathode
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C1284–00 (2005)
(stainless steel disc). The anode loop should be just slightly 8.
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