ASTM C1284-00
(Practice)Standard Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry
Standard Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry
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.
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Designation:C1284–00
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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope resultant electrodeposited samples are suitable for alpha spec-
trometry measurements.
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of separated ac-
tinide fractions for alpha spectrometry measurement. It is
4. Significance and Use
applicabletoanyoftheactinidesthatcanbedissolvedindilute
4.1 The determination of actinide elements by alpha spec-
ammonium sulfate solution. Examples of applicable actinide
trometry measurement is an essential part of many environ-
fractions would be the final elution from an ion exchange
mental research and monitoring programs.Alpha spectrometry
separation or the final strip from a solvent extraction separa-
measurementsidentifyandquantifythealpha-emittingactinide
tion.
elements. A variety of separation methods will typically
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
preceed the electrodeposition of a sample for alpha spectrom-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
etry measurements. In addition to the electrodeposition proce-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
dure presented in this practice, the scientific literature contains
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
other procedures for actinide electrodeposition.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—An alternate method for mounting actinides for alpha spec-
2. Referenced Documents
trometry measurements by coprecipitation with neodymium fluoride is
described in Test Methods C1163.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 1000 Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of
5. Interferences
Uranium Isotopes in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry
5.1 Any element present in the separated fraction which is
C 1001 Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of
capable of cathodic electrodeposition will be present on the
Plutonium in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry
metal disc. In particular Po (5.30 MeV) deposited on the
C 1163 Test Methods for Mounting Actinides for Alpha
disc would interfere with the yield determination of U (5.32
Spectrometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
MeV) or Am (5.28 MeV) tracers used in the determination
C 1205 Test Method for the Radiochemical Determination
of isotopic uranium and Am, respectively.
of Americium-241 in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry
5.2 Incomplete separation of rare earth elements or incom-
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
plete wet ashing for the removal of organic material will
3. Summary of Practice
decrease the efficiency of the electrodeposition and may result
in a thick deposit unsuitable for alpha spectrometry measure-
3.1 Guidance is provided for the electrodeposition of sepa-
ment.
rated actinide fractions onto metal discs.This practice is based
−2
5.3 The quantity of actinide should be such that <5 µg cm
on cathodic deposition of the hydrated oxides of the actinides
are electrodeposited on the metal disc. Thicker deposits are
from an acidic medium containing an ammonium salt. The
typically unsuitable for measurement by alpha spectrometry
due to the resulting attenuation and decrease in energy resolu-
tion.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-26 on Nuclear
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
6. Apparatus
Test.
6.1 Electrodeposition Power Supply—Constant current, ad-
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2000. Published February 2000. Originally
published as C1284-94. Last previous edition C1284-94.
justable from 0 to 2 A with indicating meter.
Based on Talvitie, N. A., “Electrodeposition of Actinides for Alpha Spectro-
6.2 Electrodeposition Cell—Disposable cells are recom-
metric Determination,” Analytical Chemistry, Vol 44, 1972, pp. 280–283.
mended.The cells should have a minimum volume capacity of
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. 25 mL.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C1284
6.3 Metal Discs— Stainless steel disc, or other metal disc 7.9 Sodium Hydrogen Sulfate (0.36 M in1MH SO )—
2 4
such as platinum, polished to a mirror finish on one side. The Dissolve10gofNaHSO ·H Oin88mLofwaterandadd112
4 2
diameter of the disc is determined by diameter of the elec- mL of 1.8 M H SO .
2 4
trodepositioncell.Thecurrentdensityshouldbeapproximately 7.10 Sulfuric Acid (1.8 M)—Mix 100 mL of concentrated
−2
0.5Acm of the disc area. sulfuric acid
...
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