• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.1358-1367
• /
• 2017

The data integration with modeled predictions (DIMP) model is a promising inverse radiation transport method for solving the special nuclear material (SNM) holdup problem. Unlike previous methods, DIMP is a completely passive nondestructive assay technique that requires no initial assumptions regarding the source distribution or active measurement time. DIMP predicts the most probable source location and distribution through Bayesian inference and quasi-Newtonian optimization of predicted detector responses (using the adjoint transport solution) with measured responses. DIMP performs well with forward hemispherical collimation and unshielded measurements, but several considerations are required when using narrow-view collimated detectors. DIMP converged well to the correct source distribution as the number of synthetic responses increased. DIMP also performed well for the first experimental validation exercise after applying a collimation factor, and sufficiently reducing the source search volume's extent to prevent the optimizer from getting stuck in local minima. DIMP's simple point detector response function (DRF) is being improved to address coplanar false positive/negative responses, and an angular DRF is being considered for integration with the next version of DIMP to account for highly collimated responses. Overall, DIMP shows promise for solving the SNM holdup inverse problem, especially once an improved optimization algorithm is implemented.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.596-602
• /
• 2023

Chromium-based metal-organic frameworks (MIL-101(Cr)) were synthesized, and their potential use as a filling material for gas masks or protective clothing was assessed through adsorption experiments using diisopropyl methyl phosphate (DIMP) as a simulant for chemical warfare agents. MIL-101(Cr) was prepared using acetic acid (MIL-101(Cr)-A) and sodium hydroxide (MIL-101(Cr)-N) as modulators. The use of acetic acid as a modulator resulted in a larger specific surface area and a higher DIMP adsorption capacity. MIL-101(Cr)-A absorbed approximately 160% of its own weight of moisture when exposed to an environment with a relative humidity of 90% for 10 days, surpassing other adsorbents such as activated carbon. The DIMP adsorption capacity of MIL-101(Cr)-A decreased to about 40% of its initial adsorption capacity after 24 hours of exposure to an environment with a relative humidity of 90%. However, this capacity is still higher compared to that of activated carbon used in commercial gas masks, suggesting a high potential for future use as a filling material for gas masks or protective clothing.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.296-301
• /
• 2022

Due to the fact that zirconium based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs), such as UiO-66, have a large specific surface area and excellent selective adsorption capacity, Zr-MOFs are gaining attention as materials that can provide protection from the attack of chemical warfare agents in battleground. However, most of the metal-organic frameworks have an issue of selective adsorption capacity degraded by water molecules when exposed to the atmosphere, because of the weak metal-organic ligand bonds and the presence of voids. Therefore, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a representative hydrophobic polymer material, was coated on the surface of UiO-66 to enhance the sustainability of the diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) sorption capacity in the battleground condition. Through the analysis of surface structure and organic functional group distribution of PDMS coated UiO-66, silicon was confirmed to be evenly coated. The contact angle increased by over 30° for the PDMS coated UiO-66, indicating that the hydrophobicity was improved. In addition, both the UiO-66 and PDMS coated UiO-66 were used as adsorbents for DIMP, a similar chemical warfare agent, to investigate the durability of adsorption capacity in a high humidity environment. The PDMS coated UiO-66 showed higher durability of adsorption capacity for 20 days than that of pristine UiO-66.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.524-531
• /
• 2021

Depending on the type and amount of acid used as a modulator in the manufacturing process, the structural properties of UiO-66 can be modified and the adsorbability of chemical warfare agents can be enhanced. In this study, several acids as a modulator were used to synthesize UiO-66. Their properties were analyzed with FT-IR, XRD, titrator, and adsorption isotherms using chemical warfare agent simulant, DIMP. The UiO-66, structurally damaged by hydrochloric acid as a modulator, showed lower crystallinity and DIMP adsorption capacity and also smaller specific surface area and volume of voids compared to those of UiO-66, which was manufactured using acetic acid, and formic acid as a modulator. Additionally, UiO-66 which was synthesized by adding formic acid and hydrochloric acid as a modulator, showed the highest DIMP adsorption capacity and is likely to be used as an adsorbent for chemical warfare agent in the future.