Stability, Composition, and Core–Shell Particle Structure of Uranium(IV)-Silicate Colloids

Uranium is typically the most abundant radionuclide by mass in radioactive wastes and is a significant component of effluent streams at nuclear facilities. Actinide­(IV) (An­(IV)) colloids formed via various pathways, including corrosion of spent nuclear fuel, have the potential to greatly enhance t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2018-08, Vol.52 (16), p.9118-9127
Main Authors: Neill, Thomas S, Morris, Katherine, Pearce, Carolyn I, Sherriff, Nicholas K, Burke, M. Grace, Chater, Philip A, Janssen, Arne, Natrajan, Louise, Shaw, Samuel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption spectroscopy
Atoms & subatomic particles
Colloids
Composition
Distribution functions
Effluent streams
Fuel storage
Geology
Mobility
Nuclear engineering
Nuclear facilities
Nuclear fuels
Radioactive waste disposal
Radioactive wastes
Radioisotopes
Scanning electron microscopy
Scanning transmission electron microscopy
Shell stability
Silicates
Spent nuclear fuels
Storage
Transmission electron microscopy
Ultrafiltration
Uranium
Uranium dioxide
Waste disposal
X-ray absorption spectroscopy
X-ray diffraction
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Summary:Uranium is typically the most abundant radionuclide by mass in radioactive wastes and is a significant component of effluent streams at nuclear facilities. Actinide­(IV) (An­(IV)) colloids formed via various pathways, including corrosion of spent nuclear fuel, have the potential to greatly enhance the mobility of poorly soluble An­(IV) forms, including uranium. This is particularly important in conditions relevant to decommissioning of nuclear facilities and the geological disposal of radioactive waste. Previous studies have suggested that silicate could stabilize U­(IV) colloids. Here the formation, composition, and structure of U­(IV)-silicate colloids under the alkaline conditions relevant to spent nuclear fuel storage and disposal were investigated using a range of state of the art techniques. The colloids are formed across a range of pH conditions (9–10.5) and silicate concentrations (2–4 mM) and have a primary particle size 1–10 nm, also forming suspended aggregates
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/acs.est.8b01756