Surface Decontamination Studies of 137 Cs and 85 Sr Using Polymer Gel

Abstract

The polymer gel solution consist of water soluble polymer preferably polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), plasticizing agent (glycerine) and chelating agents (citric acid) can decontaminate efficiency of 137 Cs and 84 Sr on the contaminated surfaces. Decontamination efficiency obtained from 95- 99% on glass and stainless steel, ceramic and PVC plastic surfaces, which also depended on radioactivity and coating thickness. Optimization of film thickness is around 200 microns. Decontamination efficiency of Polymer gel were compared with DeconGel 1101 (product from USA) on surfaces. IR spectra studies indicated that Cs + and Sr 2+ ions interacted with PVA and citric acid in Polymer gel through C=O group. Mechanisms of this decontamination process have revealed.