Zirconium preconcentration from zircon raffinate using gamma radiation-induced polymerization of reduced graphene oxide composite.

Zirconium is commonly used as a cladding material for nuclear reactors. The purity of the zirconium material seeks to control reactor efficiency. A novel composite of reduced graphene oxide-grafted polyacrylic acid, malic acid, and trioctylamine (rGO-g-PAA-MA/TOA) was prepared using in situ radical polymerization with gamma radiation at a dose of 25 KGy from a Co cell to preconcentrate zirconium Zr(IV) from zircon raffinate.