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Electrodeposition methods overview

Method overview:

Published methods for electrodeposition of actinides use different parameters p.e. chemical constitution of electrolyte, current intensity, deposition duration and electrolyte volume. The following table shows commonly used deposition methods.

Parameter Oxalate/HCl (NH4)2SO4/H2SO4 DMSO/HNO3
Evaporation 1 ml HCl, 10 min HNO3/H2SO4, 0,5-5 h 1 ml HCl, 10 min
Deposition duration 120 min 90 min 10 min
Chemical efficiency 100 % 90 - 100 % 90 - 95 %
Standard deviation ± 1 % ± 10 % ± 5 %
Electrolyt sensitivity Low High High
Equipment Cl-outlet Table DMSO-Outlet
Voltage 15 - 20 Volts 15 - 20 Volts 300 Volts
FWHM 58 ± 3 keV 46 ± 5 keV 51 ± 9 keV

Cleaning methods:

Deposition cells as shipped from factory should undergo several electrolysis passes with pure chemicals called blind analysis. The surface of the polished stainless steel may turn black the first times. After four or five passes this effect will disappear.

To remove all impurities from new stainless steel planchets they are cleaned with chromium sulfuric acid once. Between analysis the planchets are recommended to be stored under pure alcohol. Before use they are cleaned with a fluffless cloth and acetone.