Production of ¹²⁸I Atoms through ¹²⁷I (n,γ) ¹²⁸I Reactions in some Solid Iodocompounds using an (²⁴¹Am-Be) Neutron Source

Abstract

 Present work reports the production of ¹²⁸I atoms through ¹²⁷I (n,g) ¹²⁸I reactions in six iodine containing compounds (viz. NaI, NaIO₃, NaIO₄, KI, KIO₃ and KIO₄) in solid state. An  ²⁴¹Am-Be neutron source has been used for the production of ¹²⁸ I atoms. The radioactivities produced have been measured by a thin end-window G.M. Counter. The irradiation time and counting geometry were constant throughout the present sets of experiments. Results obtained have been analyzed through time-decay analyses. From the decay curves, the half life of ¹²⁸I  has been estimated ~25 minutes. The average zero time activities of ¹²⁸I from three independent measurements in each of NaI, NaIO₃.H₂O, NaIO₄, KI, KIO₃ and KIO₄ target, have been found 116 ± 2, 92 ± 4, 88 ± 6, 102 ± 6, 98 ± 1 and 93 ± 5 cpm respectively. It is interesting to note that the activities show a decreasing trend while passing through either from NaI to NaIO₄ or from KI to KIO₄. Results are attributed to the quantity of ¹²⁸I produced in a specified volume element and, self absorption and self scattering of radiations within the target compounds studied.  

Keywords: Iodocompounds; ¹²⁸I; ²⁴¹Am-Be neutron source; Chemical effects of nuclear transformation.

© 2011 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.

doi:10.3329/jsr.v3i2.6385                 J. Sci. Res. 3 (2), 357-366 (2011)