Influence of the gamma source on the radiolytic stability of N,N,N′,N′-tetra-n-octyl-diglycolamide (TODGA)

In nuclear reprocessing, hydrolytic and radiolytic stability of ligands, extractants, diluents and solvents is of particular importance. The strength of extraction systems can only be fully exploited when process conditions are predictable and essential molecules, which are in close proximity to radioactive isotopes, are resistant to the radiation. During the development of novel extraction systems, testing of the radiolytic stability is often evaluated by exposing the molecules to high energetic gamma rays. In this work, the influence of the source of gamma rays is evaluated. TODGA was irradiated from 0–500 kGy using different sources of gamma rays, and its degradation was followed using UPLC-HRMS. Pool-type gamma irradiation facilities BRIGITTE B (Co-60) and GEUSE II (spent nuclear fuel) at SCK CEN were employed to serve as gamma sources. In this work, it is found that there is no significant influence on TODGA degradation which can be attributed to the origin of the gamma source.