New chemical sensors based on extraction systems for stable fission products analysis

A number of cross-sensitive chemical sensors for determination of stable fission products (rare earth metals) were developed using different extracting agents that are known for their applicability in the reprocessing cycle of spent nuclear fuel. A novel “electronic tongue” multisensor system was suggested comprising an array of such sensors. The developed “electronic tongue” was tested in solutions simulating real reprocessing media and appeared being capable of simultaneous quantitative determination of several rare earth metals — typical constituents of spent nuclear fuel, e.g. cerium, neodymium and samarium. These results show a good promise for the development of a new analytical approach to multicomponent analysis in nuclear reprocessing industry.