The Identification of Trace Quantities of Radioactive lodine Compounds by Gas-Chromatographic and Effusion Methods

Abstract

Summary: Methyl iodide was identified as the principal iodine Compound formed when carrier free amounts of ¹³¹I were released in the gas-phase by the oxidation of Na¹³¹I and neutron irradiated uranium metal or by heating irradiated uranium dioxide in mixtures containing carbon dioxide. Smaller quantities of higher alkyl iodides were also found in varying proportions and a more reactive Compound or Compounds, so far unidentified, in the case of Na¹³¹I oxidation. Analytical methods used included solvent extraction, molecular weight determination by an effusion method and a new method of precisely comparing gas chromatographic retention volumes.