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DOE OSTI · 2500328

Task-Specific Ionic Compounds for In-Field Sample Preparation Poster

Zarzana, Christopher A·Groenewold, Gary S·Sharma, Kumari K·Hagiwara, Rika
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Abstract

In the event of a nuclear detonation, actinide and fission product-containing debris can be analyzed to provide information about the nature of the device. In-field sample dissolution prior to transport to a laboratory is critical for reducing the time between an event and delivery of information to decision makers. However, the best dissolution methods utilize liquid strong acid solutions, which are incompatible with field collection Standard Operating Procedure. What is required are solid materials that, when mixed with water in the field, can provide the strong digestion and dissolution properties of nitric and hydrofluoric acids. Fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids have shown a remarkable ability to dissolve a wide range of materials, from refractory actinide oxides to cementitious material such as calcium silicates. These strong dissolution properties are due to the neutral hydrofluoric acid that is bound to the anion component of the ionic liquid. Because these materials are liquids, they are also incompatible with Standard Operating Procedure. However, the physiochemical properties of ionic liquids, such as the melting point, can be readily tuned through minor modification of the molecular structure of the cations and anions. Thus, we hypothesize that by synthesizing modified cations, novel ionic compounds with melting points above ambient but with the same anion and bound hydrofluoric acid – and thus similar digestion and dissolution properties – as current fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids can be produced. These solid materials would be compatible with current Standard Operating Procedure, and would allow for rapid, in-field dissolution of samples, shortening the time to actionable information after an event.

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRYFluoroanionsIn-Field Dissolution

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Zarzana, Christopher A, Groenewold, Gary S, Sharma, Kumari K, Hagiwara, Rika. 2019-05-30. Task-Specific Ionic Compounds for In-Field Sample Preparation Poster. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/2500328

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