Development and evaluation of a new 155Eu/154SmPd3 source for use with 155Gd Mössbauer spectroscopy

A 155Eu/154SmPd3 (about 231 MBq) source for use with 155Gd Mössbauer spectroscopy was developed by a novel method. In the novel method, the isotopically enriched 154SmPd3 compound was prepared by the conventional solid state reaction of 154Sm(HCOO)3 and PdHx in a hydrogen atmosphere at 1273 K for 18 h, which is simpler than the previously reported method. In order to increase the reaction areas, palladium fine particles used to synthesize the PdHx hydride were prepared by a chemical solution process. Performance of the newly developed source was evaluated by observing the 155Gd Mössbauer spectra of known compounds, GdPd3 and cubic Gd2O3 at 12 K. The obtained results indicated that the developed source is fine enough to investigate the structural characteristic of various materials containing gadolinium.