Field portable electrochemical sensor for uranium and other actinides
First Claim
1. A sensor for uranium and other actinides, comprising:
- an actinyl-selective polymer containing chelating molecules selective for actinyl ions;
said actinyl-selective polymer being combined with a sensor element which is adapted to detect changes in the electrical potential or conducting properties of the polymer in the presence of actinyl ions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An actinyl-selective polymer detects the presence of actinide ions in a solution. An electrode or FET gate surface of a sensor element may be coated or otherwise made to include the actinyl-selective polymer, which preferably includes chelating molecules selective to ions having the general formula MO2X, where M represents any metal in the actinide group and X represents 1+, 2+, or any other charge state, including uranium ions (UO22+), plutonium ions (PuO22+, PuO21+), and thorium ions (ThO21+) and others. The chelating polymer is preferably made by first polymerizing a selected monomer and then derivatizing the polymer with a calix[n]arene rings (where n=4-10) compound, resulting in a high density of chelating molecules on the surface of the polymer, where they are accessible to the solutions being testing and cleansing or rejuvenating solutions.
10 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A sensor for uranium and other actinides, comprising:
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an actinyl-selective polymer containing chelating molecules selective for actinyl ions;
said actinyl-selective polymer being combined with a sensor element which is adapted to detect changes in the electrical potential or conducting properties of the polymer in the presence of actinyl ions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of sensing uranium and other actinides, the method comprising:
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providing an actinyl-selective polymer containing chelating molecules selective for actinyl ions;
exposing said polymer to a liquid containing actinyl ions; and
detecting changes in electrical potential or conducting properties of said polymer in the presence of said actinyl ions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification