Radioactive decontamination in low-temperature environments by using a novel high-strength strippable coating

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Nuclear accidents pose significant environmental and safety risks due to radioactive pollution.
• Effective decontamination methods are crucial for mitigating the impact of radioactive contamination.
• Existing methods may be less effective in low-temperature environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel strippable detergent coating for radioactive decontamination.
• To evaluate the coating's performance in low-temperature conditions.
• To investigate the film-forming, decontamination, and mechanical properties of the new detergent.

Main Methods:

• In situ polymerization was used to synthesize the EC/PUA/PVAc detergent from ethyl cellulose (EC), tea polyphenols (TP), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), and polytetramethylene ether glycol bis-para-aminobenzoate (P1000).
• Characterization involved low-temperature rheometry, SEM, EDX, and FT-IR to assess coating properties and decontamination mechanisms.
• Mechanical properties like tensile and peel strength were measured using a universal material testing machine.

Main Results:

• The EC/PUA/PVAc detergent exhibited good fluidity and sprayability at -10-10°C, forming a strippable coating.
• The decontamination coating achieved a tensile strength of 26.4 MPa and varied peel strengths on different surfaces.
• Decontamination factors ranged from 3.32 to 10.02, with an overall decontamination rate exceeding 85%.

Conclusions:

• The developed EC/PUA/PVAc detergent coating is effective for radioactive decontamination, particularly in low-temperature environments.
• The coating's strippable nature allows for easy removal of radioactive staining.
• This novel material offers a promising solution for managing radioactive pollution and enhancing safety.