Actinide Nanoparticle Characterization by Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of mass spectrometric methods for the investigation of actinide nanoparticles. The great variety of applications requires an equally large number of different mass spectrometric techniques. Trace analysis of bulk fragments on the submicron scale, such as detection of the so-called hot particles from nuclear accidents in the environment, call for ultrasensitive detection with the capability of measuring isotope ratios with high precision. In many applications, imaging mass spectrometric techniques, primarily secondary ion mass spectrometry, are used. Investigations focusing on the formation of nanoparticles in solutions require low invasive ion sources, such as electrospray ionization, which are able to reproduce the species distribution in aqueous solution. The most frequently used ion sources and mass spectrometers are introduced, and progress in characterizing actinide nanoparticles by mass spectrometry is discussed using selected recent examples from the literature. Special emphasis is placed on the observation of nanoparticle formation in solution by electrospray mass spectrometry. Polymerization in solutions containing Th(IV), Pu(IV), and Zr(IV), as a homolog of plutonium, are discussed in greater detail in the last section.