Abstract
Americium is an important actinide element having versatile applications based on its alpha and gamma emissions. Multi-element determination of radioactive samples using ICP-AES technique may be affected by the presence of americium due to its rich emission spectra. With a view to characterize plutonium based fuels containing americium for trace metals by ICP-AES technique accurately, a high purity 241Am (using a separation procedure developed in our laboratory) was prepared. To ascertain its chemical purity it is essential to determine its impurity contents accurately. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), being a sensitive multi-elemental technique, was employed to determine the concentrations of impurities in purified 241Am. Detection limits for the common elements and rare earth elements have also been determined. Comparison is made with the analytical data obtained by the ICP-AES method.
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Sengupta, A., Adya, V.C., Acharya, R. et al. Characterization of purified 241Am for common impurities by instrumental neutron activation analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 287, 281–285 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-010-0675-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-010-0675-5