Synthesis, characterization and radionuclide (137Cs) trapping properties of a carbon foam

Low-density carbon foam was synthesized from an aqueous acidic sucrose solution. The resin formed by heating this solution underwent foaming and set into a solid green foam which was sintered in the temperature range 573–1223 K. The green and the sintered foams were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. A thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with a mass spectrometer was used to study the thermal stability of green foam under an argon atmosphere in the temperature range 303–1273 K. The suitability of this carbon foam and a commercially available reticulated vitreous carbon for trapping radioactive 137Cs was studied by a tracer technique in static sodium at 473 K. A NaI(Tl) detector was used to measure 137Cs activity trapped by these materials. Trapping efficiency for 137Cs and distribution coefficient of 137Cs between sodium and the carbon foam were found to be in the range 73–77% and 4.9–6.0 × 102, respectively.