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.