Abstract
Inductively coupled plasma – time-of-flight – mass spectrometry (ICP-TOF-MS) was employed for the isotopic analysis of uranium particles of varying 235U enrichment levels. Here, a single particle (SP)-based introduction scheme was employed such that individual particles, in a suspension, were analyzed. The uranium oxide microparticles were comprised of depleted uranium (DU, 235U/238U of 0.0017316(14)), natural uranium (NU, 235U/238U of 0.0072614(39)), and low enriched uranium (LEU, 235U/238U of 0.051025(15)). The percent relative difference of the SP-ICP-TOF-MS measured isotopic ratios compared to the expected values for the DU, NU, and LEU particle populations were 8.75, 0.12, and 1.23 %, respectively. After characterization, the DU and NU particles were doped within a complex sample matrix (Arizona Test Dust) containing Fe, Ti, Al, and Si particles, among others. Then, the suspension was analyzed via SP-ICP-TOF-MS and the detected particles were classified as DU or NU based on their measured 235U/238U ratio. In the same analysis, the matrix particles (i.e., Al, Fe, and Ti) were detected, demonstrating the simultaneous nuclide detection provided by the measurement platform. The presented SP-ICP-TOF-MS methodology for uranium particle characterization proved to be a high throughput method for detecting and isotopically discerning uranium particles with varying enrichment levels, in a complex matrix.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 128578 |
| Journal | Talanta |
| Volume | 297 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2026 |
Funding
This work was supported by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-000R22725. This work was funded by the United States National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research & Development. The authors would like to acknowledge Jacquelyn DeMink (ORNL) for assistance with graphics. Parts of this work were prepared as an account of work sponsored by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany within the Joint Programme on the Technical Development and Further Improvement of IAEA Safeguards between the Federal Republic of Germany and the IAEA. This work was supported by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory , managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-000R22725 . This work was funded by the United States National Nuclear Security Administration's ( NNSA ) Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research & Development. The authors would like to acknowledge Jacquelyn DeMink (ORNL) for assistance with graphics.