Depleted zinc oxide
# Depleted zinc oxide

Depleted zinc oxide (DZO) is a zinc oxide depleted in the zinc isotope with the atomic mass 64, and used as a corrosion inhibitor in nuclear pressurized water reactors.

The depletion of $^{64}Zn$ is necessary, because this isotope is transformed into $^{65}Zn$ by neutron capture. $^{65}Zn$ with a half-life of 244.26 days emits gamma radiation with 1.115 MeV. $^{64}Zn$ has a natural abundance of 48.6%, but in DZO it is reduced below 1%. Adding zinc oxide to the primary water loop of a boiling water reactor or pressurized water nuclear reactor reduces corrosion and therefore minimizes the amount of dissolved materials, especially $^{60}Co.$

The isotope separation of zinc is done by gas centrifugation of diethylzinc.

