COMPREHENSIVE RNAA OF CADMIUM, COBALT, NICKEL, AND COPPER USING CD-109, CO-57, AND REACTOR-PRODUCED CU-67 AS RADIOISOTOPIC YIELD MONITORS

An existing radiochemical NAA procedure for Cd, Co, and Cu was improve d to allow determination of individual radiochemical yields by the rad ioisotopic tracer technique, thus eliminating errors owing to variable recovery. Cd-109 was used as tracer for Cd determination via Cd-115/I n-115m, Co-57 for Co via Co-60, and potentially for Ni via Co-58, wher eas as a novelty Cu-67, produced by reactor irradiation of ZnO of natu ral isotopic composition (by the Zn-67 [n,p] Cu-67 reaction) was used for Cu via the indicator nuclide Cu-64. The simple production and puri fication of Cu-67 by anion exchange is described. Results for biologic al RMs are given and discussed.