51V(n,β)52Cr reaction for neutron dosimetry : Development and assessment of a spectrophotometric method for determination of Cr in vanadium at sub ppm level

• With a view to monitoring the changes in coloration caused by the nuclear reaction 51V(n,β)52Cr in solution of vanadyl sulphate and using it for neutron dosimetry, electronic absorption spectra of vanadyl sulphate solutions were investigated at different concentrations of chromate impurity in micromolar range. It was observed that the presence of chromate enhances the absorptivity over a wide wavelength range serving essentially as a colouring agent for vanadium matrix, presumably due to charge transfer process. The absorbance at 380nm varied linearly over a wide concentration range. The limit of detection of chromate obtained is shown to be adequate for detecting neutron-induced chemical transmutation of vanadium to chromium under standard reactor conditions, when used with long path length cells. It was observed that the absorbance does not change on electron irradiation, suggesting that radiolytic effects due to beta decay, if any, do not interfere in the measurement of neutron-induced changes. In addition to its potential for neutron dosimetry, this is the first report of a simple and direct method of estimation of Cr in vanadium matrix at sub ppm level.

Nyckelord

NATURAL SCIENCES

NATURVETENSKAP

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)