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Explora: Environment
and Resource Experimental application of GQDs for nuclear materials removal

3 Laboratório de Biofísica e Nanossistemas, Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luiz, Maranhão, Brazil
4 Departamento de Química Analítica e Físico-Química, Universidade Federal do Ceará – UFC, Campus do Pici, CP, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
5 Radiopharmacy and Nanoradiopharmaceuticals Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, State University of Rio de
Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

1. Introduction and rain. In addition, the choice of radionuclide will
impact the radiological effect. In general terms, a dirty
Nuclear terrorism refers to the use or threat of using nuclear bomb may use as follows: (i) Cs-137, which decays into
weapons or radioactive materials by non-state actors, barium-137m (Ba-137m), which further decays into
primarily for ideological or political motives. This term stable barium-137. Cesium-137 is a byproduct of nuclear
encompasses a range of malicious activities, including the fission and is commonly used in medical radiotherapy
detonation of a nuclear device, the dispersal of radioactive devices. It is highly soluble in water and can spread widely
materials (often termed a “dirty bomb”), the sabotage of in the environment; (ii) Cobalt-60, which decays into
nuclear facilities, or the acquisition and smuggling of nickel-60 (Ni-60), a stable isotope. Cobalt-60 is used in
nuclear materials. 1-3
industrial radiography and medical radiotherapy. It emits
The evolution of nuclear technology, including high-energy gamma radiation; (iii) Strontium-90, which
the proliferation of knowledge and materials, has decays into yttrium-90 (Y-90), which further decays into
made the theoretical possibility of a terrorist-built stable zirconium-90 (Zr-90). Strontium-90 is a byproduct
nuclear device more plausible. However, the technical of nuclear fission and is found in spent nuclear fuel and
expertise and resources required to construct such a radioactive waste. It poses a significant health risk as
device are still significant barriers. Terrorist groups it can replace calcium in bones; and (iv) Iridium-192,
have shown adaptability in their tactics, shifting which decays into platinum-192 (Pt-192), which further
focus to more achievable goals such as building “dirty undergoes a series of decays before reaching a stable
bombs,” which are simpler to construct compared to a isotope. Iridium-192 is used in industrial radiography.
nuclear bomb but can still cause widespread panic and Although, these are the main radionuclides that may be
disruption. 4-7 used, many others, such as technetium-99m (99mTc) and
A “dirty bomb,” also known as a radiological dispersal iodine-131 (I-131), can also be used. 12-15
device (RDD), is a type of weapon that combines Therefore, the present study aims to synthesize and
conventional explosives, such as dynamite, with radioactive characterize graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with
material. It is designed to scatter dangerous and sub-lethal properties suitable for efficient interaction with radioactive
amounts of radioactive material over a wide area. The materials. In addition, it aims to evaluate the ability of
primary intention of a dirty bomb is not to kill or cause GQDs to remove radioactive isotopes (I-131 and 99mTc)
severe harm through the initial blast or nuclear radiation from metallic (aluminum, zinc, and monel) and plastic
(as in a nuclear bomb) but rather to contaminate an area (rigid polyvinyl chloride [PVC]) surfaces.
with radioactive material, leading to long-term, disruptive
consequences. The core of a dirty bomb is a conventional 1.2. Health and environmental impact
explosive, which, when detonated, provides the force to The health impact of a dirty bomb is primarily due to
disperse the radioactive material over a wide area. This radioactive contamination and the psychological impact.
can be any material that emits radiation, but typically dirty Exposure to radiation can increase the risk of cancer,
bombs are hypothesized to use isotopes readily available and the contamination of infrastructure and land can
in medical or industrial settings, such as cesium-137 lead to long-term economic and social challenges.
(Cs-137), cobalt-60 (Co-60), strontium-90 (Sr-90), or The dispersion of radioactive materials can lead to
iridium-192 (Ir-192). 8-11 widespread environmental contamination, affecting
air, water, and soil quality. This, in turn, can lead to
1.1. Radiological impact secondary health effects as the contamination enters the
Upon detonation, the explosion disperses the radioactive food chain and affects a broader population over a more
material in the form of dust and smoke. The extent of extended period. In addition, contaminated areas may
the area affected depends on the size of the bomb, the become uninhabitable for extended periods, leading to
physical and chemical properties of the radioactive displacement, stress, and socioeconomic challenges for
material, and meteorological conditions, such as wind the affected populations. 8,16,17

Volume 1 Issue 1 (2024) 2 doi: 10.36922/eer.3403