Tritiation of aerogel matrices: T sub 2 O, tritiated organics and tritium exchange on aerogel surfaces

Three methods for incorporation of tritium into the phoshor/aerogel matrix have been demonstrated: (1) adsorption of T{sub 2}O by the aerogel, (2) incorporation of tritiated organic into the pores of the aerogel and (3) isotopic exchange of tritium from T{sub 2} gas for the H residing on the surface of the aerogel. Adsorption of T{sub 2}O produces the brightest light (4.4 fL) to date but the tritium is loosely bound. Incorporation of tritiated organics into the pores of the aerogel produces less that theoretical luminance and intensity diminishes rapidly due to precipitation and darkening of the organic from radiation damage. Isotopic exchange produces a stable lamp by tritiating H sites on the surface of the aerogel. A lamp with stable luminance of 1.1 fL has been produced; a theoretical limit for a mono-layer coverage fo the aerogel surface is 2 to 3 fL. 7 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.