The preparation of narrow-line 57Fe M$ouml$ssbauer sources and an investigation of some of the causes of their line broadening

An electrochemical technique to prepare 55Fe source for the calibration of the X-ray detectors

This paper describes an electrochemical method for the preparation of 55Fe sources, utilized in the calibration of low energy X-ray detectors. In this process, electrodeposition of 55Fe containing 185 MBq (∼5 mCi) of activity on a small circular cross sectional flat surface area (∼0.07 cm2) within a cylindrical Cu metal rod was carried out at a current density of 20 mA/cm2 at 18 ºC for 4 h using sulphate bath maintained at pH ∼ 2. The electrolytic cell, the experimental set up used and the process of 55Fe deposition were described. The effect of various experimental parameters influencing the electrodeposition of 55Fe were identified and optimized. The texture and morphology of the electrodeposited samples were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM and EDS techniques. The quantity of deposited 55Fe activity was assayed in a calibrated ion chamber. Quality control tests were carried out to ensure nonleachability, uniform distribution of activity and stability of the sources.

On the application of electrochemical techniques for the preparation of 57Co source core, encapsulation and quality evaluation for radiometric assay of nuclear fuel rods

This paper describes an electrochemical method for the preparation of 57Co source to be used in quality evaluation of nuclear fuel rods. The electrolytic cell, the experimental set up used and the process of deposition are described. The effect of various parameters such as pH of the electrolyte, bath temperature, current density, content of cobalt in the bath, electrolyte volume in the cell and deposition time were investigated and optimized for maximum deposition. The texture and morphology of the electrodeposited samples were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM and EDS analyses. Sources containing ∼370 MBq (10 mCi) 57Co on a circular copper foil of 4 mm diameter could be prepared and encapsulated in an aluminum capsule. Quality assurance tests performed to ensure non-leachability, uniform distribution of activity and stability of the sources gave satisfactory results.