Europium, Strontium and Cesium migration from the composite of poly (Methyl Acrylate) gypsum prepared by gamma irradiation

Poly(methyl acrylate) gypsum composites were prepared by means of gamma irradiation method. The distribution of ¹³⁷Cs, ¹⁵²Eu and ⁸⁵Sr on these composites after contact with groundwater was investigated using ?-spectrometry. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy was used to reveal the binding nature between gypsum and polymer, which was found to be purely physical. The distribution of the radionuclides was studied as a function of the contact time, pH, concurrent elements, monomer/gypsum ratio, dose rates and total irradiation dose. The prepared composites were found to give better results in term of radionuclides sorption comparing to the commercial gypsum, particularly for Cs radionuclide.(author)