Thin film of phosphate ligand bearing polymer grafted glass substrate for alpha spectrometric determination of Pu⁴⁺ ions

A thin film of phosphate ligands bearing polymer of bis(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl) phosphate (poly(BMEP)) has been anchored on glass substrate (Glass@poly(BMEP)) by UV-grafting. The alpha spectrum obtained from Pu⁴⁺ loaded Glass@poly(BMEP) has been found to contain well defined characteristics alpha energy peaks without left side tailing indicating no significant loss of alpha energy in the matrix. Poly(BMEP) has been found to take up Pu(IV) ions from 3 mol L^-1 HNO₃. Pu(IV) ions pre-concentrated on Glass@poly(BMEP) from aqueous samples such as ground water and seawater which have been quantified by isotope dilution alpha spectrometry. It has been observed that 15 ppb concentration could be quantified within ±5% uncertainty. (author)