Composition containing aerogel substrate loaded with tritium
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsCarol S. Ashley, C. Jeffrey Brinker, Robert E. Ellefson, John T. Gill, Scott Reed, Robert J. Walko
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Abstract
The invention provides a process for loading an aerogel substrate with tritium and the resultant compositions. According to the process, an aerogel substrate is hydrolyzed so that surface OH groups are formed. The hydrolyzed aerogel is then subjected to tritium exchange employing, for example, a tritium-containing gas, whereby tritium atoms replace H atoms of surface OH groups. OH and/or CH groups of residual alcohol present in the aerogel may also undergo tritium exchange.
Claims15
A composition comprising:
- an aerogel or xerogel substrate loaded with tritium and a component capable of emitting radiation upon interaction of the component with beta particles emitted from the tritium,
- wherein the loading of said aerogel or xerogel substrate with tritium is performed by initially hydrolyzing the surface of the substrate and then subjecting the hydrolyzed substrate to tritium exchange, whereby tritium atoms replace hydrogen atoms of hydrolyzed surface groups, and
- wherein said composition is a volumetric source of radiation.
A composition comprising:
- an aerogel or xerogel substrate loaded with tritium and a component capable of emitting radiation upon interaction of the component with beta particles emitted from the tirtium,
- wherein said loading of said aerogel or xerogel substrate with tritium is performed by initially hydrolyzing the surface of the substrate and then subjecting the hydrolyzed substrate to tritium exchange, whereby tritium atoms replace hydrogen atoms of hydrolyzed surface groups,
- wherein said composition is a volumetric source of radiation, and
- wherein said substrate transmits said radiation of said second energy to a substantial degree.
In a radiation-emitting composition comprising tritium and a component which emits non-.beta. radiation upon interaction with .beta.-radiation emanating from said tritium, wherein the improvement comprises:
- an aerogel or xerogel substrate loaded with tritium and a component capable of emitting radiation upon interaction of the component with beta particles emitted from the tritium,
- wherein the loading of said aerogel of xerogel substrate with tritium is performed by initially hydrolyzing the surface of the substrate and then subjecting the hydrolyzed substrate to tritium exchange, wherein tritium atoms replace hydrogen atoms of hydrolyzed surface groups, and said composition volumetrically emits said non-.beta. radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.