Improved Characteristics Of Hydrophobic Polytetrafluoroethylene-platinum Catalysts For Tritium Recovery From Tritiated Water

摘要

This paper presents recent results concerning a new preparation method and characteristics of the hydrophobic catalysts used in hydrogen isotopes separation. The objectives of the paper are: (1) to assess the current status and find a new procedure forthe preparation of a new improved hydrophobic catalyst; (2) to improve the characteristics and performance of platinum hydrophobic catalysts. As a result of review of references it was concluded that platinum is one of the most active and efficient catalytic metal and polytetrafluoroethylene is a very good wet-proofing agent in the hydrogen isotopes separation processes. A category of newly improved hydrophobic Pt-catalysts has been proposed, prepared and characterized and are now under testing. The novelty consists in adding of metallic oxides (titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide) as a new binding and wet-proofing agents. The added metallic oxides play a catalytic role, too. The physico-structural parameters of the improved catalyst have been determined and are discussed. Preliminary tests concerning the catalytic activity and stability in tritium separation process have been carried-out. The new proposal is a promising idea to improve the performance of conventional hydrophobic Pt-catalysts.