高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定核燃料中锕系元素、稳定及长半衰期裂变产物

Determination of Actinide Elements, Stable and Long Half-life Fission Products in Nuclear Fuel by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

  • 摘要: 分析辐照后核燃料中的裂变产物和锕系元素对基础研究和工程应用具有重要意义。本文采用高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱(HPLC-ICP-MS)法对核燃料中锕系元素、稳定及长半衰期裂变产物进行分析,设计了具有疏水作用和阳离子交换作用的分离材料,使裂变产物和锕系元素在单根色谱柱上分离。通过控制α-羟基异丁酸(HIBA)的浓度和pH值,实现铀与镧系元素的分离。实验设计了色谱与质谱连接的流路,具备独立使用和联用的模式切换、流量控制等功能,并对辐照后核燃料样品进行分析,获得了La、Ce、Pr、Nd、Pm、Sm、Eu、Gd、Y、Rb、Mo、Zr、Cs、U、Np、Pu等元素的色谱流出曲线和部分半定量结果。该方法分析效率高、抗干扰能力强,可用于形态价态分析,以及乏燃料及辐照靶件中少量组分的提纯制备。

     

    Abstract: The composition of irradiated nuclear fuel samples is complex, containing various fission products and actinide elements. The analysis of these nuclear reaction products is of great significance for basic research and engineering application. A method of high performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) was established for the analysis of actinide elements, stable and long half-life fission products in nuclear fuels to simplify the sample processing steps, improve analysis efficiency, reduce sample size and personnel exposure dose. To avoid using a dual column coupling system and adding ion pair reagents, a mixed mode chromatographic separation material was designed. Phenylethyl and sulfonic groups have good hydrophobic and cation exchange properties, respectively, achieving the separation of fission products and uranium on a single chromatographic column. The concentration and pH value of the eluent are two important factors affecting retention time. When the α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) concentration is 400 mmol/L and the pH is 3.5-4.0, uranium flows out of the chromatographic column first, and increasing the pH can separate the lanthanide elements. The resolutions of uranium and lutetium, and between lanthanide elements are 3.8 and 2.2-7.6, respectively, achieving baseline separation. The interface connecting chromatography and mass spectrometry was designed, mainly including a proportional valve, a fraction collector, and a switching valve, and has functions such as independent and combined use of chromatography and mass spectrometry, flow control, mass spectrometry analysis, and component collection. The irradiated nuclear fuel core samples were analyzed, and chromatographic elution curves and partial semi-quantitative results of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, Rb, Mo, Zr, Cs, U, Np, Pu were obtained. The method has the advantages of high efficiency, strong qualitative, quantitative and anti-interference ability, and can be used for isotope ratio and valence state analysis. This indicates that HPLC-ICP-MS using dual functional chromatography column has great potential in the rapid analysis of actinide elements, stable and long half-life fission products. Due to its qualitative identification and online monitoring capabilities for target components, this method can also be applied to the purification and preparation of small amounts of components in spent fuel and target materials.

     

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