Radiation Physics and Engineering
A peer-reviewed journal published by K. N. Toosi University of Technology

Alpha source preparation using electrodeposition method and characterization by SEM-EDS

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Maryam Azizi 1
Behjat Ghasemi 1
Omidreza Kakuee 2
Ali Biganeh 2

1 Department of Radiation Application‎, ‎Faculty of Nuclear Engineering‎, ‎Shahid Beheshti University‎, ‎Tehran‎, ‎Iran

2 Physics & Accelerators Research School‎, ‎Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute‎, ‎P‎. ‎O‎. ‎Box 14395-836‎, ‎Tehran‎, ‎Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/rpe.2026.571496.1334
Abstract
This study investigates the preparation of alpha-emitting sources using the electrodeposition technique for alpha spectrometry. Since source preparation is often costly and may involve the use of enriched radionuclides, highly efficient methods are essential. Among the available techniques, electrodeposition is one of the most widely employed methods for producing alpha sources. In this work, uranium layers were deposited onto stainless steel discs using the electrodeposition method. Key deposition parameters, including anode material (platinum wire with defined geometry), cathode material (polished stainless steel), current density (0.5 A.cm-2), electrolyte pH (2-2.4), and deposition time (60 minutes), were carefully selected and applied. Following the preparation of the alpha sources, their characterization was performed using alpha spectrometry with a semiconductor detector and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Alpha spectrometry confirmed the presence of U-238, U-235, and U-234 isotopes, and SEM-EDS analysis was employed to evaluate the uranium distribution on the disc.

Highlights

  • Alpha sources prepared via electrodeposition for alpha spectrometry.
  • Stainless steel discs used as cost-effective and practical electrode substrates.
  • Optimized parameters: current density, pH, and deposition time for quality layers.
  • SEM-EDS analysis was employed to assess uranium distribution on the steel surface.

Keywords

Alpha sources
Electrodeposition
Alpha spectrometry
Characterization of alpha source
SEM-EDS analysis
Subjects

Copyright
RPE is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no potential conflict of interest regarding the publication of this work‎.

Funding
‎The authors declare that no funds‎, ‎grants‎, ‎or other financial support were received during the preparation of this manuscript‎.

Radiation Physics and Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 August 2026

  • Receive Date 08 January 2026
  • Revise Date 06 June 2026
  • Accept Date 08 August 2026

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