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Electrodeposition methods overview

Method overview:

Published methods for electrodeposition of actinides use different parameters p.e. chemical constitution of electrolyte, current intensity, deposition duration and electrolyte volume. The following table shows commonly used deposition methods.

Parameter	Oxalate/HCl	(NH4)2SO4/H2SO4	DMSO/HNO3
Evaporation	1 ml HCl, 10 min	HNO3/H2SO4, 0,5-5 h	1 ml HCl, 10 min
Deposition duration	120 min	90 min	10 min
Chemical efficiency	100 %	90 - 100 %	90 - 95 %
Standard deviation	± 1 %	± 10 %	± 5 %
Electrolyt sensitivity	Low	High	High
Equipment	Cl-outlet	Table	DMSO-Outlet
Voltage	15 - 20 Volts	15 - 20 Volts	300 Volts
FWHM	58 ± 3 keV	46 ± 5 keV	51 ± 9 keV

Cleaning methods:

Deposition cells as shipped from factory should undergo several electrolysis passes with pure chemicals called blind analysis. The surface of the polished stainless steel may turn black the first times. After four or five passes this effect will disappear.

To remove all impurities from new stainless steel planchets they are cleaned with chromium sulfuric acid once. Between analysis the planchets are recommended to be stored under pure alcohol. Before use they are cleaned with a fluffless cloth and acetone.