Interactions between chitosan and alpha emitters: 238Pu and 241Am.

This paper deals with the first study published on the interactions between chitosan and two radioactive elements (alpha emitters): 238Pu and 241Am. The authors determined the optimal experimental conditions for each of them (pH, ionic strength (FI), carbonate concentration) and attempted to explain the mechanism of interaction. The study of the nature and the percentage of the metallic ionic species present in solution as a function of the experimental conditions was carried out by means of the TOT software for 241Am. The authors showed a good fixation of 238Pu and 241Am on chitosan for pH's between 11-12, with the best results for 241Am. Nevertheless, an increase of the FI or the addition of a complexant of these alpha emitters induced a decrease of the interactions with chitosan.