Plasma Scraping of ¹⁴C Surface Nanolayer Formed by Neutron Fluence of Graphite Reactor

Abstract

In this article, we consider some mechanisms of the formation of a nanometer-thick surface layer enriched with ¹⁴C isotope. Main channel of ¹⁴C surface accumulation is believed to be the neutron capture reaction with ¹⁴N atoms of the cooling gas mixture during operation of uranium-graphite reactors, in particular, a high-power channel-type reactor (RBMK-type reactor). For the “dry” collection of thin layers enriched in ¹⁴C isotope from the irradiated graphite surface of graphite-type nuclear reactor and further compact burial, we propose argon plasma discharge technology based on the special type of a microdischarge at a high pressure, up to atmospheric pressure. In addition, there are some important technical applications, such as brachytherapy medicine or new beta-voltaic batteries, which require the deposition of thin layers of beta-active isotopes (e.g. ¹⁴C) with nanoscale precision to form a controlled output energy spectrum of secondary electrons. The proposed technological scheme can potentially be used both for graphite deactivation in the irradiated reactor during decommissioning of uranium-graphite reactors, and at the same time for fabrication of highly concentrated ¹⁴C nanosized coatings for use in radionuclide medicine and beta-voltaic batteries.