Prepared by: Tshepo Motimedi (NWU), Happy Vilakazi (UJ), Kefilwe Thoane (NWU), Ntombizikhona. B Ndlovu (SU), Darya Adamchyk(BLR), Tatsiana Lapatsentava(BLR), Alexandr Petrov (BLR), Elena Govor (BLR)

Supervisor: Prof M. V. Frontasyeva. (FLNP)

Contents• Introduction.• INAA Technique• Sample Preparations• Analytical Technique and practical's• γ-Spectroscopy• Summary • Applications of INAA• References

Founder of FLNP

Ilґja Mikhailovich Frank (1908-1990)

The Nobel Prize winner in Physics

FRANK LABORATORY OF NEUTRON PHYSICSJOINT INSTITUTE FOR NUCLEAR RESEARCH1956

IntroductionNeutron Activation Analysis (NAA) is a sensitive

multi-element analytical technique used for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of major, minor, trace and rare elements

NAA was discovered in 1936 by G. Hevesy (Hungary) and H. Levi (Denmark)

Method for NAADestructive (Radiochemical), the elements

of the resulting radioactive sample undergoes decomposition and chemical separation process.

Non Destructive (Instrumental), chemical separation is not performed, and therefore the resulting radioactive sample is not decomposed to elemental fragments.

NAA Principle

Neutron source

IBR

-2 P

ulse

d Fa

st R

eact

or

C h3 C h4

C h0

C dS

C h1 C h2 BS

DC VLR C BU

SU

SM

32

R

d28

d28

D

R 1

d16

R 2

BS

D D

C B

A A C C IBMPC

R 3

INAA Procedure..

8

Sample preparatio

n

Neutron irradiation of

samples

Decay of radioactivity

Decay periods between15s – 7 days

Measurement of γ-ray spectra of samples and standards with HPGe-detector

Evaluation of the γ-ray spectra using a computer program

Calculation of element content giving results

in µg/g

Dec

ay

tim

eC

ount

ti

me

Sample preparation

Sample preparation

Samples

Al encapsulation, long irradiation

Encapsulation in special designed bags, short irradiation

Neutron flux spectrum

X-section of Cd-113

13

Cd cut-off

γ- SpectroscopyDetector Detector Calibration

Summary

Applications of INAA at IBR-2 Life Sciences Material Sciences

Biotechnologies: development of new pharmaceuticals, cleaning the environment from toxic elements (biosorption) and synthesis of nanoparticles

NAA for the technological process of synthesis of diamonds and NB (boron nitride)

Analysis of archaeological and museum objects from Russian and other countries

NAA for decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants and utilization of industrial wastes

Biomonitoring of atmospheric

deposition of heavy metals and other

elements (Project REGATA)

Control of quality and safety of

foodstuffs, grown in industrially

contaminated areas of RF and South Africa (grant of SA)

Assessment of different ecosystems

and their impact on human health

ConclusionNeutron Activation Analysis (NAA) is a

useful method for the simultaneous determination of major, minor and trace elements of geological, environmental and biological samples in ppb-ppm range with or without chemical separation.

ReferenceP. Bode: Instrumental and organizational aspects of a

neutron activation analysis laboratotyhttp://www.sciner.com/Neutron/naa.htmlhttp://reactor.engr.wisc.edu/naa/http://tin.er.usgs.gov/geochem/doc/inaa.htmhttp://reactor.engr.wisc.edu/naa/UWNRNAA.htmhttp://www.reak.bme.hu/Wigner_Course/WignerManuals/

Budapest/NEUTRON_ACTIVATION_ANALYSIS.htmhttp://archaeometry.missouri.edu/naa_overview.html

Dream Team

Spasibo!