Preparation of Ni-63 Radioactive Source by Hanging Plating Method

Abstract

In order to optimize the problems of low efficiency and complex equipment in the preparation of nickel-63 radioactive sources using traditional electrodeposition processes. A high-efficiency process for preparing nickel-63 radiation sources has been developed using nickel chloride (Ni-63) as raw material, nickel as substrate, and hanging plating process. The effects of pH value of electroplating solution, electroplating temperature, electroplating time, and electroplating current density on the quality of nickel-63 radioactive source products were studied. Under the conditions of nickel chloride (Ni-63) concentration of 7 g/L, pH value 1-3, electroplating temperature at room temperature, electroplating time of 180 seconds, and current density of 6.5 mA/cm2, qualified nickel-63 radiation source products were efficiently prepared. The results show that compared with traditional electrodeposition processes, this process breaks the limitations of electroplating tank design and overcomes the complex design of electroplating equipment in traditional electrodeposition processes. It can flexibly design the shape of the active zone of the radioactive source, solve the problem of frequent disassembly of electroplating equipment in the production process, and improves the production efficiency.

Keywords

• nickel-63 / radioactive source / hanging plating / electrodeposition