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Functionalized Polymer Thin Films for Plutonium Capture and Isotopic Screening from Aqueous Sources
James C Foster1, Samantha A Starstrom1, Timothy A DeVol2
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, 127 Earle Hall, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States.
Analytical Chemistry
|March 20, 2020
Summary
New polymer-ligand films, particularly those with di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP), show promise for rapidly concentrating plutonium from water for nuclear safeguards. Higher HDEHP loading improved plutonium uptake and retention in fieldable detection systems.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear chemistry and materials science.
- Development of advanced analytical techniques for nuclear material detection.
- Application of polymer science in environmental monitoring and security.
Background:
- Rapid screening of plutonium from aqueous sources is crucial for nuclear nonproliferation.
- Current methods for trace plutonium detection in water are time-consuming and require offsite analysis.
- Fieldable detection systems are needed for efficient nuclear safeguards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize thin polymer-ligand films for isolating and concentrating waterborne plutonium.
- To enable direct spectroscopic analysis of plutonium in a fieldable system.
- To advance rapid, on-site detection capabilities for nuclear materials.
Main Methods:
- Spin coating of polymer-ligand films (polystyrene with dibenzoylmethane, thenoyltrifluoroacetone, HDEHP) onto silicon wafers.
- Plutonium uptake studies across a range of pH conditions.
- Alpha spectroscopy for analyzing plutonium isotopes.
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for film composition analysis.
Main Results:
- Films containing HDEHP demonstrated significant plutonium recovery.
- High alpha spectroscopy resolution was achieved with PS-HDEHP films (30-250 nm thickness).
- Increased HDEHP loading enhanced plutonium uptake by an order of magnitude, with higher retention observed.
- XPS revealed HDEHP concentration at the film surface and potential stripping in water at neutral pH.
Conclusions:
- Thin polymer-ligand films, especially those incorporating HDEHP, are effective for plutonium concentration from water.
- Optimizing HDEHP loading is key to maximizing plutonium uptake and retention.
- These findings support the development of membrane-based detection systems for rapid, fieldable plutonium analysis.
