Work

Development of an automated microfluidic system for actinide separation and analysis

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: • Assembly and fabrication of an automated microfluidic separation and analytical platform based on a disposable solid phase extraction microfluidic chip. • Demonstrated uranium matrix removal and trace elemental assay in the microscale for certified uranium ore concentrate reference material. • The automated platform requires <30 µl of sample per analysis, leads to cost reduction and improved safety. Mass spectroscopy and microfluidic technology, when combined, offer significant advantages in radiochemical analysis sample volume and cost reduction. A microfluidic device designed for efficiency has been developed. This device separates uranium from key trace elements by utilising UTEVA® chromatographic resins and nitric acid solutions of different concentrations for adsorption and recovery. The eluates from this microdevice are then diluted and directed to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry system, enabling direct analysis of trace elements and uranium with minimal operator-sample interaction. This efficient approach greatly reduces the volume of sample required for trace elemental analysis in actinide materials, thereby reducing costs and satisfying the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle.

Source: Journal of Chromatography A

DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.465646