Sorption behavior of γ-irradiated α-Al2O3

Irradiation of α-Al₂O₃ (Corundum) was carried out in contact with acidic media and with different doses (100-to-2500 kGy) and dose-rates (0.9, 2.6 and 6.1 kGy·h⁻¹) of γ-rays. Simultaneously parallel experiments were carried out using the same procedure, but preheated at 150°C for two days and then irradiated without acidic media. The solid thus obtained was used to determine the effect of γ-irradiation on the sorption capacities of microamounts of fission products from strongly alkaline aqueous solutions of uranium. The results revealed that the effect of γ-irradiation of α-Al₂O₃ and the acidic media in which it is immersed, is associated with a stable matrix resistant to significant changes in the composition of the surface layer; whilst it seems that the effect of γ-irradiation of preheated α-Al₂O₃, is connected with changes of surface-OH groups strongly affected by heat treatment and irradiation dose.