Comparison between NIS and TNC channels for the detection of nickel in soil samples

G AlMisned; T Al-Abdullah; F A Liadi; A Hawsawi

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110303

Comparison between NIS and TNC channels for the detection of nickel in soil samples

Appl Radiat Isot. 2022 Aug:186:110303. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110303. Epub 2022 May 27.

Authors

G AlMisned¹, T Al-Abdullah², F A Liadi³, A Hawsawi³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physics, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, 11564, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Physics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Advanced Materials, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: tariq.alabdullah@kfupm.edu.sa.
³ Department of Physics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia.

PMID: 35649293
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110303

Abstract

The prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) is a significant technique for determining the quantities of a variety of elements in natural materials, whether online or in situ, regardless of their chemical compounds. This study focused on evaluating the performance of a portable PGNAA setup based on a Genie 16 DD neutron generator to determine the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of nickel in soil samples. Two separate reaction mechanisms were used to activate the samples. A CeBr₃ detector was used to detect nickel gamma rays at 1331 and 1454 keV caused by neutron inelastic scattering, as well as those at 8553 and 8998 keV emitted following thermal neutron capture activations. The obtained MDC values for both reaction channels have improved as a result of the research.

Keywords: 2.5 MeV neutrons; CeBr3 detector; MDC; NIS & TNC; Nickel-soil samples.

MeSH terms

Gamma Rays
Neutron Activation Analysis
Neutrons*
Nickel*
Soil

Substances

Soil
Nickel