Solvent extraction reprocessing of used nuclear fuel is hindered by radiation induced damage to extraction ligands.  The extent of degradation may vary depending on the type of radiation.  Initial degradation studies using gamma radiation have been performed on tributyl phosphate (TBP) but very few have been performed using alpha particles or other particles with similar high linear energy transfer (LET) characteristics.  Here we investigate the utility of using the 10B(n,a)7Li reaction for studying high LET radiolysis of extraction ligands.  Alpha-like particles He2+ (1.5 MeV) and Li+ (0.85 MeV) are created in situ with similar energy and LET value to alpha particles of ~5 MeV emitted from used nuclear fuel.  TBP degradation is quantified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.  Both gamma and high LET g-values for TBP disappearance are reported as well as g-values for common degradation products such as dibutyl phosphoric acid, monobutyl phosphoric acid, and phosphoric acid.

High linear energy transfer (LET) induced radiolysis of the extraction ligand tributyl phosphate via the <sup>10</sup>B(n,α)<sup>7</sup>Li  reaction

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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High linear energy transfer (LET) induced radiolysis of the extraction ligand tributyl phosphate via the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction

High linear energy transfer (LET) induced radiolysis of the extraction ligand tributyl phosphate via the ¹⁰B(n,α)⁷Li reaction