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Abstract: Combining extraction and scintillation properties within the same material is a relatively new approach in development of sensors for detection of radioactive elements. Structural organization of such materials at a nanoscale typically offers higher efficiency of detection and shorter response time. In this contribution, several new protocols are discussed for fabrication of stable extractive scintillating systems based on commercial Superlig 620 (SL) material with high affinity to radiostrontium. Application of hybrid organic–inorganic beads with SL particles used as core and halloysite clay nanotubes (HNT) modified with a polyvinyltoluene (PVT) brush as a permeable shell combines high‐performance extracting properties of the SL material with efficient light emission properties of the polymer scintillator. The developed SL–HNT–PVT hybrid extractive scintillating material allows real‐time detection of low‐level concentrations of radiostrontium in water. Moreover, the suggested approach is not limited to detection of Sr but can find broader application in development of chemical, biological, or radioluminescent sensors and multifunctional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: New dual functionality scintillating anion-exchange resins were developed for selective determination of 99TcO4 − in various natural freshwater samples. Stable scintillating particles were formed by preparing the vinyl monomer 2-[4-(4′-vinylbiphenylyl)]-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (vPBD), starting with the commercial organic flour TBut-PBD and its subsequent copolymerization with styrene, divinylbenzene, and p-chloromethylstyrene mixture. To integrate the radiochemical separation and radiometric detection steps within the same bead, the chloromethyl groups of the scintillating resins were subjected to amination reactions with dioctylamine (DOA) and trioctylamine (TOA). On-line quantification of 99TcO4 − was achieved by packing the scintillating anion-exchange resin into Teflon tubing for quantification by a flow scintillation analyzer (FSA). The two functionalized resins were selective for pertechnetate over the common anions in natural freshwaters, especially Cl− and SO4 2− with up to 1000 ppm and with up to 10 ppm I− and Cr2O7 2−. The uptake efficiency of the TOA sensor decreased from 97.88% to 85.08% in well water and river water, respectively, while the counting efficiency was almost constant (69.50%). The DOA performance showed lower efficiency in the two water types relative to TOA. On the other hand, the DOA sensor could be regenerated by 5 M HNO3 for reuse at least four times without losing its chemical or optical performance. The detection limit was 1.45 Bq which could be achieved by loading 45 mL from well and tap water containing the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 99Tc (33 Bq/L). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Several types of bottled drinking water originating from three different areas in Egypt are studied through measurement of radium activity, assessment of related annual dose for adults and finally to define the role of water quality on radium levels. The mean levels of 226Ra activity range from 0.44 to 0.92Bq/L and the mean levels of 228Ra from 0.30 to 0.78Bq/L, with related 226Ra/228Ra ratios ranging from 2.61 to 0.56. Water types originating from the Eastern Nile Delta area are characterized by low 226Ra levels and relatively high 228Ra activity, presumably due to the muddy agricultural nature of this area, which is subject to water from several surface resources for irrigation. In general, the mean activity levels for both 226Ra and 228Ra are within those in drinking water in several other countries and the annual ingested dose is comparable with the typical range reported by UNSCEAR. Also, the effect of TDS, pH, calcium, bicarbonate, sulphate and chloride ion concentrations on radium levels is studied and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]