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| Hauptseite > Publikationsdatenbank > Preparation of Microparticle Reference Materials for Nuclear Safeguards Particle Analysis |
| Hauptseite > Publikationsdatenbank > Preparation of Microparticle Reference Materials for Nuclear Safeguards Particle Analysis |
| Poster | FZJ-2014-06639 |
; ; ; ;
2014
Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/8132
Abstract: In order to deter non-nuclear weapon states signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty from acquiring nuclear weapons, the International Atomic Energy Agency conducts inspections in facilities and sites situating nuclear-related activities. During these inspections, on-site measurements are performed and samples are taken. A relative new field in the nuclear safeguards analytics is the analysis of particles collected through swipe sampling during inspections. In dedicated laboratories the swipe samples are scanned for microparticles which are then analyzed by mass spectrometric methods, e.g. secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) or laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). When particles containing uranium of plutonium are discovered, the elemental and isotopic compositions are determined with high precision. The presence and composition of detected microparticles can provide insight into activities in the facility, specifically the production or handling of undeclared materials.As the results obtained in particle analysis are relevant to conclude the absence of undeclared activities, there is great need for proper quality control and quality assurance to ensure the quality of the analysis results. Therefore, calibration standards and reference materials are required. At present, no relevant reference material consisting of uranium microparticles is available. Current work at the Forschungszentrum Jülich focusses on the preparation of monodisperse microparticles consisting of uranium oxide with specific elemental content per particle and specific isotope ratios. This is achieved by generating an uranyl nitrate aerosol using a vibrating orifice aerosol generator (VOAG). The prepared aerosols are thermally denitrated and collected. Monodisperse uranium microspheres have been obtained and the prepared particles are currently characterized.Future work focuses on the embedment of the produced microparticles into a solid matrix for simplified handling, storage, transport and measurement. Suitable matrix materials have to be selected and possible synthesis methods are to be considered. Furthermore, the stability of the microparticles and the matrix material are to be investigated and possible particle-matrix interactions are to be identified.
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