Nanoparticle-Assisted Uranium Extraction and Precise Isotopic Fingerprinting in Groundwater by TIMS.

ABSTRACT: Groundwater isotopic screening has gained increased attention for determining the α activity ratio of ²³⁴U/²³⁸U. This requires efficient uranium preconcentration from aquifer samples and precise measurement of the minor abundant isotope ratio of ²³⁴U/²³⁸U (approximately 55 ppm). Using polydopamine-coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (PDA@Fe₃O₄-NPs) to extract uranium from aquifer samples reduces analysis time by over 80% compared to conventional preconcentration methods. Thermal Ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) with carefully selected detector combinations and a novel methodology was employed to measure the ²³⁴U/²³⁸U isotope ratio. The methodology involves sequentially collectin

SUBMITTER: Shah RV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12809863 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature