Determination of 222Rn absorption properties of polycarbonate foils by liquid scintillation counting. Application to 222Rn measurements. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitev, K.; Cassette, P.; Georgiev, S.; Dimitrova, I.; Sabot, B.; Boshkova, T.; Tartès, I.; Pressyanov, D.
• Is Part Of: Applied radiation and isotopes. Volume 109(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 275
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: 222Rn -- LSC -- TDCR -- Polycarbonate foil; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Nuclear chemistry -- Periodicals; Internet resource; Periodical; 660.298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.11.047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-8043

Abstract

Abstract: This work demonstrates that a Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC) technique using a Triple to Double Coincidence Ratio counter with extending dead-time is very appropriate for the accurate measurement of 222 Rn activity absorbed in thin polycarbonate foils. It is demonstrated that using a toluene-based LS cocktail, which dissolves polycarbonates, the 222 Rn activity absorbed in thin Makrofol N foil can be determined with a relative standard uncertainty of about 0.7%. A LSC-based application of the methodology for determination of the diffusion length of 222 Rn in thin polycarbonate foils is proposed and the diffusion length of 222 Rn in Makrofol N (38.9±1.3 µm) and the partition coefficient of 222 Rn in Makrofol N from air (112±12, at 20 °C) and from water (272±17, at 21 °C) are determined. Calibration of commercial LS spectrometers for 222 Rn measurements by LSC of thin polycarbonate foils is performed and the minimum detectable activities by this technique are estimated. Highlights: LSC is well suited to the accurate measurement of 222 Rn in thin polycarbonate foils. The 222 Rn in thin Makrofol N foils can be determined with 0.7% uncertainty by LSC. A LSC based determination of K and LD of 222 Rn in polycarbonate foils is proposed. K and LD of 222 Rn from air and water in Makrofol N are determined.