A new production route of Gadolinium-148 for use in Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Artun, Ozan
• Is Part Of: Applied radiation and isotopes. Volume 185(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Gadolinium-148 -- Plutonium-238 -- Radioisotope thermoelectric generators -- Nuclear batteries -- Particle accelerators; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Nuclear chemistry -- Periodicals; Internet resource; Periodical; 660.298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-8043

Abstract

Abstract: The production of Gd-148 had challenges for available methods in the literature, such as its high cost and low production amount. Therefore, we recommend a new production route of Gd-148 on natural Sm and Eu targets via particle accelerators. For this aim, we calculated and simulated cross-section, activity, the yield of product, and integral yield curves for 21 different nuclear reaction processes under certain conditions. Based on the obtained results, we proposed the radioisotope Gd-148 to use Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators for deep space and planetary explorations in spacecraft and space-probes as a suitable energy source, instead of Pu-238. Highlights: We recommend a new production route of Gadolinium-148 for use in Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators. We proposed the radioisotope Gd-148 to use Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators for deep space and planetary explorations. We recommend nuclear reaction processes for the production of Gd-148.