Production of Samarium Nanoparticles by Gamma Irradiation
Department
Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
Major
Nuclear Engineering
Research Advisor
Castano, Carlos H.
Advisor's Department
Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
Funding Source
Nuclear Regulatory Commission grant NRC-38-10-966; Mining and Nuclear Engineering Department
Abstract
Samarium nanoparticles were created in a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol using an intense radiation source. A cobalt-60 source irradiated samples containing Sm3+ ions with a 10 kGy/hr dose rate. Radicals formed reduced the Sm3+ ions to neutral atoms. These coalesced into spherical clusters. A polymer surfactant called polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added to regulate nanoparticle growth.
Nanoparticles were observed on a scanning transmission electron microscope. Using a solution irradiated to 40 kGy consisting of 0.15 mM PVP and 0.10 mM Sm3+, the average diameter was 201.9 nm, the mode was 149.3 nm, and the standard deviation was 83.7. 230 particles were observed and particles smaller than 50 nm were not included. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the particles were samarium.
Solutions of nanoparticles that had received radiation doses ranging from 10 kGy to 40 kGy were measured. Higher doses produce smaller, spherical particles. Lower doses produce larger, jagged particles.
Biography
Samuel is a senior at Missouri S&T majoring in Nuclear Engineering. He graduates in December 2012.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Production of Samarium Nanoparticles by Gamma Irradiation
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Samarium nanoparticles were created in a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol using an intense radiation source. A cobalt-60 source irradiated samples containing Sm3+ ions with a 10 kGy/hr dose rate. Radicals formed reduced the Sm3+ ions to neutral atoms. These coalesced into spherical clusters. A polymer surfactant called polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added to regulate nanoparticle growth.
Nanoparticles were observed on a scanning transmission electron microscope. Using a solution irradiated to 40 kGy consisting of 0.15 mM PVP and 0.10 mM Sm3+, the average diameter was 201.9 nm, the mode was 149.3 nm, and the standard deviation was 83.7. 230 particles were observed and particles smaller than 50 nm were not included. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the particles were samarium.
Solutions of nanoparticles that had received radiation doses ranging from 10 kGy to 40 kGy were measured. Higher doses produce smaller, spherical particles. Lower doses produce larger, jagged particles.
Comments
Joint project with James Weeks and Robert Zedric