Radionuclide Diagnostics of the Sorption Using the 224Ra Subfamily and α-Ray Spectrometry

Abstract

A method was suggested for radionuclide diagnostics of the sorption using the ²²⁴Ra subfamily and α-ray spectrometry. The method allows the diffusion in transport pores to be distinguished from the diffusion in a regular crystalline body. The possibilities of the method were illustrated by the example of a system consisting of a thin layer of manganese hydroxide deposited on three different kinds of support (cellulose triacetate, polyethylene, polyimide 66 in the form of flat discs 24 mm in diameter) and an aqueous ²²⁴Ra solution. A joint study of the kinetics of the Ra sorption and characteristics of α-ray spectra of samples of ²²⁴Ra sorbed onto thin-layer manganese hydroxide and of its daughter radionuclides (energy resolution and emanating ability of α-ray sources) allows the steps of external diffusion in a laminar liquid flow on the surface of sorbent granules, diffusion in transport pores, and diffusion in a regular crystalline body to be clearly distinguished in time.