Americium isotope analysis by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry using the total evaporation method (CAT#: STEM-ST-0232-LJX)

Introduction

Americium is produced in nuclear reactors from plutonium and is one of the minor actinides. Americium has three isotopes with half‐lives above one year: 241Am (432.6(1.2) years, k = 2), 242mAm (143(4) years, k = 2) and 243Am (7367(46) years, k = 2). 241Am is produced by the beta decay of 241Pu. 242mAm is produced by 241Am neutron capture. 243Am is produced by 242Pu neutron capture followed by beta decay. In spent nuclear fuel, americium is one of the major contributors to waste long-term radiotoxicity, once the plutonium has been removed. Separating americium from other minor actinides is necessary to reduce the volume and the storage period of the nuclear waste for safe disposal in a geological repository.

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Principle Applications Procedure Materials Notes Related Products

Principle

Thermal ionization mass spectrometry exploits the thermochemical reactions that occur in molecules in a sample when they are irradiated by a beam of high energy electrons. This reaction usually takes place at high temperatures, resulting in the formation of ions. The ionized species are accelerated in an electric field and then analyzed by mass spectrometry through the ion-focusing lens of a mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer will separate and detect the ions according to their mass and charge.

Applications

For analyzing the distribution of molecules, atoms and molecular groups.
For studying the chemical structure of Earth's minerals and rocks.
For studying the structure and function of biomolecules.
For studying problems in physics.

Procedure

1. The sampling system sends the sample to be analyzed into the ion source;
2. The ion source ionizes the atoms and molecules in the sample into ions;
3. The mass analyzer separates ions according to the size of the mass-charge ratio;
4. The detector is used to measure and record the intensity of the ion current to obtain the mass spectrum.

Materials

• Sample Type:
Americium

Notes

Before starting the machine, check whether the water (water cooler), electricity, gas (argon/nitrogen), temperature, humidity, and exhaust air of the instrument are normal.

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