Nanoparticle-Assisted Uranium Extraction and Precise Isotopic Fingerprinting in Groundwater by TIMS
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Groundwater isotopic screening has gained increased attention for determining the α activity ratio of 234 U/ 238 U. This requires efficient uranium preconcentration from aquifer samples and precise measurement of the minor abundant isotope ratio of 234 U/ 238 U (approximately 55 ppm). Using polydopamine-coated Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles (PDA@Fe 3 O 4 -NPs) to extract uranium from aquifer samples reduces analysis time by over 80% compared to conventional preconcentration methods. Thermal Ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) with carefully selected detector combinations and a novel methodology was employed to measure the 234 U/ 238 U isotope ratio. The methodology involves sequentially collecting the ion current of 235 U on both a Secondary Electron Multiplier and a Faraday cup. Internal normalization using the invariant 238 U/ 235 U ratio (∼137.88) is then applied to address isotopic fractionation in the 234 U/ 238 U ratio measurements, significantly improving the precision and accuracy to better than 0.1%. Efforts were made to assess all possible sources of uncertainty, identifying the primary contributors so as to strengthen the confidence in the proposed correction methodology and to establish traceability to the SI unit system.
Source: ACS Omega
Authors: Raju V. Shah, K. Sasi Bhushan, Preeti Goswami, Kaushik Sanyal, Perumpillil George Jaison
Institution: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Language: English
Subfield: Geochemistry and Petrology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,935
OpenAlex ID: W7115889425