Potential Nd Purification for SuperNEMO

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Potential Nd Purification for SuperNEMO SNOPLUS
J. D. Baker Idaho National Laboratory C. A.
McGrath Idaho National Laboratory C. S.
Sutton Mount Holyoke College K. Keeter Idaho
State University J. Heise Queens University C.
Taylor Idaho State University
ISU, Pocatello, ID November 7, 2007
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Introduction and Background

• 150Nd is potential DBD source isotope
• Generally, Nd it is found in nature with Th
• Likely it will be contaminated with similar
  amounts of U and Th and need purification from
  the same natural radionuclides as 100Mo and 82Se.
• Remember, 150Nd is to be enriched in facility
  previously used for uranium.

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Lanthanide ore concentration

• Monazite (Ln, Th)PO4
• Nd 16
• Th 9

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Problem radioisotopic impurities

• No matter the isotope, potentially it will be
  contaminated
• with U, Th progeny, including 208Tl (Qß5.00
  MeV)
• 214Bi (Qß3.27 MeV, Qa5.62 MeV) .
• In order to reduce 208Tl, have to remove 228Ra
  228Th.
• In order to reduce 214Bi, have to remove
  226Ra.

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SuperNEMO source requirement

• SuperNEMO needs
• 208Tl level 2 µBq/kg
• 214Bi level 10 µBq/kg
• 0.2 evt kg-1 y-1 with 2.8ltE1E2lt3.2 MeV

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Natural decay chains
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HDEHP (Di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid)

• This compound can be used either as a liquid for
  solvent extraction or adsorbed on an inert
  support for a column separation.

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Extraction chromatography resin
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Potential chemical purification of Nd using HDEHP
column
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Potential Nd purification - SuperNEMO

• Dissolve Nd in quartz distilled HNO3, adjust to
  0.2 molar
• Add purified Ba and precipitate as sulfate to
  remove Ra
• Load HDEHP column with Nd, wash with 0.2 M HNO3
  to remove Ra
• Elute Nd with 0.5 M HNO3
• Precipitate using Oxalic acid and heat in tube
  furnace to convert to oxide

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Nd Purification SNOPlus

• Dissolve Nd in HNO3, adjust to 0.2 molar
• Add purified Ba and precipitate as sulfate to
  remove Ra
• Load HDEHP column with Nd, wash with 0.2 M HNO3
  to remove Ra
• Elute Nd with 0.5 M HCl
• Adjust to acidity and concentration needed for
  dissolution in LAB

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Potential purification factor

• Based upon Kd, Nd could be purified to virtually
  any level.
• In reality, the factor will be related to
  environmental issues.
• Cleanliness of clean-room
• Materials used in purification
• Surely we should be able to get ?104
• A big positive is Nd is not a hazardous material