Evaluation of three electrodeposition procedures for uranium, plutonium and americium

While both mass spectrometry and alpha-particle spectrometry have been widely used for measuring alpha activities, the former is preferred since many laboratories are not equipped with ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS systems. In this study, three electrodeposition techniques using ammonium chloride, ammonium oxalate and ammonium sulphate as electrolyte solutions were applied and evaluated for the preparation of uranium, plutonium and americium sources for alpha-particle spectrometry. Changes in pH and temperature throughout the electrodeposition process were measured every 15 min, together with percentage deposition every 30 min. The percentage deposition in each method was checked at 300, 400 and 500 mA, and the optimised time and current were determined.