Preparation of high-labeled graphene oxide by tritium thermal activation method for application in the betavoltaic cell of a nuclear battery

Abstract

Possibility of tritium introduction into graphene oxide (GO) by tritium thermal activation method was demonstrated. It has been established that, in order to obtain the highest possible specific radioactivity, thin films of GO with a thickness of 5.6 mg/m2 must be treated with tritium atoms. The experiment provided at 77 K showed a number of advantages. Under these conditions, the specific activity of [3H]GO of 2.6 Ci/mg was reached when calculated by the mass of the initial GO (0.7 Ci/mg if purified to remove the labile tritium). Specific energy release in [3H]GO with such specific activity is 22.3 W/kg, which is enough for its application as a component of an atomic battery.