Actinide incorporation in a zirconia based pyrochlore (Nd1.8An0.2)Zr2O7+x (An=Th, U, Np, Pu, Am)

Actinides (thorium, uranium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium) were infiltrated into a porous Nd_1.8Zr₂O_6.7 matrix, prepared by gel-supported precipitation. (Nd_1.8An_0.2)Zr₂O_7+x pyrochlores were formed after sintering in Ar/H₂ and the pyrochlore structure remains during oxidation at 800 °C in air. X-ray diffraction reveals a linear relationship between the pyrochlore lattice parameter and the ionic radii of the actinides. EXAFS measurements on actinide L₃-edge show a split shell of nearest neighbour oxygen atoms similar to that surrounding of Nd. The actinide-oxygen bond distances decrease with the actinide ionic radii, which verifies that these actinides adopt the Nd site in the (Nd_1.8An_0.2)Zr₂O_7+x pyrochlore. The oxidation susceptibility of Np is related to the availability of oxygen vacancies and in contrast to stabilised zirconia Np(V) can be obtained in zirconia based pyrochlore.     

The melting behaviour of uranium/neptunium mixed oxides

The melting behaviour in the pseudo-binary system (UO₂ + NpO₂) has been studied experimentally for the first time in this work with the help of laser heating under controlled atmosphere. It has been observed that the solidus and liquidus lines of this system follow an ideal solution behaviour (negligible mixing enthalpy) between the well-established solid/liquid transition temperatures of pure UO₂ (3130 K) and that recently assessed for NpO₂ (T = 3070 K). Pre- and post-melting material characterizations performed with the help of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy are also consistent with ideal mixing of the two end members. Such behaviour follows the similar structure and bonding properties of tetravalent uranium and neptunium and the similar melting points of the two oxides. The interest of this investigation is twofold. From a technological viewpoint, it indicates that the incorporation of NpO₂ in UO₂ fuel or transmutation targets is a viable option to recycle neptunium without inducing any relevant change in the chemical or thermal stability of the uranium dioxide matrix, even up to the melting point. From a more fundamental perspective, it confirms that actinide dioxides, and particularly UO₂, tend to mix in a way closer to ideal, the closer are the atomic numbers, 5-f electron shell filling, atomic radii and oxygen potentials of the metals forming the pure dioxides.     

Local structure in solid solutions of stabilised zirconia with actinide dioxides (UO2, NpO2)

The local structure of (Zr,Lu,U)O_2−x and (Zr,Y,Np)O_2−x solid solutions has been investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). Samples were prepared by mixing reactive (Zr,Lu)O_2−x and (Zr,Y)O_2−x precursor materials with the actinide oxide powders, respectively. Sintering at 1600 °C in Ar/H₂ yields a fluorite structure with U(IV) and Np(IV). As typical for stabilised zirconia the metal-oxygen and metal-metal distances are characteristic for the different metal ions. The bond lengths increase with actinide concentration, whereas highest adaptation to the bulk stabilised zirconia structure was observed for UO and NpO bonds. The ZrO bond shows only a slight increase from 2.14 Å at 6 mol% actinide to 2.18 Å at infinite dilution in UO₂ and NpO₂. The short interatomic distance between Zr and the surrounding oxygen and metal atoms indicate a low relaxation of Zr with respect to the bulk structure, i.e. a strong Pauling behaviour.     

Local atomic structure of a zirconia-based americium transmutation fuel

(Zr,Y,Am)O₂ with 6 and 19 mol% Am were prepared by infiltration of americium in porous yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) beads. Samples were sintered at 1600 °C in Ar/H₂ to yield Am(III). By annealing them at 1000 °C in flowing air, the Am is oxidised to Am(IV). Both Am(III) and Am(IV) samples exhibit the presence of a single (Zr,Y,Am)O₂ phase with fluorite structure. The local atomic structure around the Zr, Y, and Am atoms is determined by EXAFS analysis. The Zr-O bond distance decreases from 2.15 to 2.12 Å with increasing Am(III) content, whereas the Y-O bond distance is independent of Am content and oxidation state. The Am(III)-O bond distance is 2.37 Å for both Am concentrations, while oxidation to Am(IV) decreases the Am(IV)-O distance to 2.28 Å, with a simultaneous expansion of the environment around the Zr atoms. The Am-O bond distances are contracted compared with the compounds Am₂Zr₂O₇ and AmO₂ and the distances expected from the ionic radii.     

Formation enthalpies of rare earth titanate pyrochlores

High-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry and Rietveld refinements of powder X-ray diffraction data were used to investigate the structure (Fd3m; Z=8) and energetics of a series of RE₂Ti₂O₇ (RE=Sm-Lu) compounds with the pyrochlore structure as well as La₂Ti₂O₇ with a layered perovskite-type structure. All of the RE-titanates were found to be stable in enthalpy with respect to their oxides. In the pyrochlore series, Lu₂Ti₂O₇ was least stable in enthalpy (ΔHf-ox at 298 K=−56.0±4.0 kJ/mol); the most stable materials were Gd-, Eu-, and Sm₂Ti₂O₇ with ΔHf-ox at 298 K=−113.4±2.7, −106.1±4.2, −115.4±4.2 kJ/mol, respectively. In general, as the radius ratio of the A- to B-site cations, R_A/R_B, decreases, the pyrochlore structure becomes less stable. The trend of ionic radius of the RE³⁺ cation vs. ΔHf-ox at 298 K is non-linear and approximately parallels the increasing “resistance” to ion-beam-induced amorphization as R_A/R_B decreases.     

Specific heat capacity and Debye temperature of zirconia and its solid solution

Specific heat C_P of zirconia and yttria stabilized zirconia doped or not with erbia and ceria was measured from 128 to 823 K and of yttria stabilized zirconia doped with erbia and plutonia from 443 to 1573 K. The new determined data were modelled using Debye theory. Data for the tetravalent oxide and for the studied solid solutions show that the extended Dulong and Petit law in Neumann-Kopp rule is verified for zirconia and the quaternary compounds. The Debye temperature of zirconia (590 K) and its yttria, erbia and ceria doped solid solutions (575-625 K) derived from these C_P measurements between 150 and 823 K is discussed and compared with that reported for other tetravalent metal oxides.     

Extraction behaviour of thorium,protactinium, uranium and neptunium from mixed mineral acid solutions by TLA

Studies on the extraction of thorium, protactinium, uranium and neptunium from H₂SO₄ solutions by TLA indicated that these elements have low distribution coefficients (<0.1) at high acid concentrations. Additions of HCl or HBr to H₂SO₄ solutions enhances appreciably the extraction of the mentioned elements. A systematic investigation on the effect of halide concentration and solvetn concentration helped in explaining the observed enhancement as well as identifying the extracted complexes.     

XAS study of murataite-based ceramics and crystalline film of ThO2

The local environment of thorium in murataite ceramics (Al,Ca,Ti,Mn,Fe,Zr,Th)O_x and ThO₂(001) crystalline film on Si(100) substrate as a reference was explored by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) for the first time. It was found that Th⁴⁺ is located in the center of a cube formed by 8 oxygen atoms [r(Th–O) = 2.37 ± 0.03 Å] in murataite ceramics and ThO₂ film. The Th⁴⁺ second coordination sphere [r(Th–M) ≈ 3.5 Å] in murataite is represented by 3d metals: titanium, iron or manganese     

Controlled potential coulometric determination of uranium and neptunium in uranium-neptunium alloys

A controlled potential coulometric titration method has been developed for the determination of neptunium and uranium in the presence of each other. The recovery of a neptunium standard in the presence of uranium was 100.02% with a relative standard deviation of 0.13%, and the recovery of a uranium standard in the presence of neptunium was 100.03% with a relative standard deviation of 0.13%.     

The retention behaviour of polar compounds on zirconia based stationary phases under hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography conditions

The most separations in HILIC mode are performed on silica-based supports. Nevertheless, recently published results have indicated that the metal oxides stationary phases also possess the ability to interact with hydrophilic compounds under HILIC conditions. This paper primarily describes the retention behaviour of model hydrophilic analytes (4-aminobenzene sulfonic acid, 4-aminobenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 3-aminophenol and 3-nitrophenol) on the polybutadine modified zirconia in HILIC. The results were simultaneously compared with a bare zirconia and a silica-based HILIC phase. The mobile phase strength, pH and the column temperature were systematically modified to assess their impact on the retention of model compounds. It was found that the retention of our model hydrophilic analytes on both zirconia phases was mainly governed by adsorption while on the silica-based HILIC phase partitioning was primarily involved. The ability of ligand-exchange interactions of zirconia surface with a carboxylic moiety influenced substantially the response of carboxylic acids on the elevated temperature as well as to the change of the mobile phase pH in contrast to the silica phase. However, no or negligible ligand-exchange interactions were observed for sulfanilic acid. The results of this study clearly demonstrated the ability of modified zirconia phase to retain polar acidic compounds under HILIC conditions, which might substantially enlarge the application area of the zirconia-based stationary phases.     

Structural and spectroscopic trends in actinyl iodates of uranium,neptunium, and plutonium

Two neptunyl(VI) iodates, NpO(2)(IO(3))(2)(H(2)O) (1) and NpO(2)(IO(3))(2).H(2)O (2), have been prepared from the aqueous reactions of Np(V) in HCl with KIO(4) or H(5)IO(6) at 180 degrees C and have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Both compounds consist of two-dimensional arrangements of pentagonal bipyramidal [NpO(7)] polyhedra with axial neptunyl, NpO(2)(2+), dioxocations. In 1, the neptunium centers are bound in the equatorial plane by four bridging iodate anions and one terminal water molecule. The iodate anions link the [NpO(7)] units into corrugated sheets that interact with one another through intermolecular IO(3)(-)...IO(3)(-) interactions as also observed in UO(2)(IO(3))(2)(H(2)O). Compound 2 is isostructural with the recently reported PuO(2)(IO(3))(2).H(2)O, where oxygen atoms from bridging iodate anions occupy the five equatorial sites around the neptunyl moieties. The iodate anions occur as both mu(2)- and mu(3)-units and link the neptunyl polyhedra into sheets. Both types of iodate anions have their stereochemically active lone-pair of electrons aligned on one side of each layer creating a polar structure. Raman spectra of 1, UO(2)(IO(3))(2)(H(2)O), and PuO(2)(IO(3))(2).H(2)O show a sequential shift of the nu(1)(AnO(2)(2+)) stretch to lower wavenumber as the atomic number of the actinide is increased. Crystallographic data: 1, orthorhombic, space group Pcan, a = 7.684(2) A, b = 8.450(2) A, c = 12.493(3) A, Z = 4; 2, orthorhombic, space group Pna2(1), a = 7.314(1) A, b = 11.631(2) A, c = 9.449(2) A, Z = 4.     

Uncertainties in Solubility Calculations

Summary.  When considering the possible migration of hazardous elements in groundwater, one has to take into account several phenomena, e.g. solubility, ion exchange, adsorption, matrix diffusion, and transport paths. Here, we focus upon the solubility which in turn depends on several more or less uncertain chemical properties. Uncertainties in the data during laboratory experiments aiming at measurements of thermodynamic constants may cause uncertainties in the amount of some species of several tenths of the relative mass fraction. The thermodynamic data may then be used for solubility calculations under different conditions and water compositions. Clearly, there are several uncertainties associated with solubility calculations in the rock-water system. First, there is the effect of uncertainties in thermodynamic data such as stability and solubility constants, and also enthalpies of reaction if the water is not at room temperature. Furthermore, there are the rock-water interactions which will change the water composition as different minerals come in contact with the water flowing through a system of fractures. Studies in mineralogy to an accuracy good enough for modeling of water evolution are difficult to perform, and therefore the mineral composition of the rock and thus the water composition should be treated as parameters subjected to uncertainties. In addition, there are also conceptual uncertainties with respect to input data. The calculation of a solubility should be an easy task for every chemist, but in fact results differing by orders of magnitude are found even when the modelers have used the same computer program and the same data. In this paper, uncertainties associated with solubility calculations are discussed. The results are exemplified on the calculated solubilities of some actinides in groundwater from crystalline rock. Received August 21, 2000. Accepted (revised) May 18, 2001     

Preparation and properties of zirconia nanotube-supported 12-tungstophosphoric acid catalyst

Zirconia nanotube-supported H₃PW₁₂O₄0 (HPW) catalysts exhibit high catalytic activities in the synthesis of fatty acid ethyl ester.     

Electrochemical and surface characterization of mild steel with corrosion resistant zirconia network fabricated by aqueous sol-gel technique

Zirconia (ZrO₂) coating was developed on mild steel surface through an aqueous sol-gel route followed by heat treatment. The coating quality was optimized by varying dipping time, curing time, and drying temperature. ZrO₂ coating was competent to prevent a substantial corrosion loss in 0.5 ​M–2 ​M hydrochloric acid with more than 90% efficiency. The morphology of coated surface has revealed the formation of a fine ZrO₂ network on the metal surface at optimum conditions. This network is found to be effective to control steel deterioration in hydrochloric acid and the same appeared to be either cracked or irregular for less efficient formulations.     

Role of yttrium loading in the physico-chemical properties and soot combustion activity of ceria and ceria–zirconia catalysts

Ce_1−xY_xO₂ and Ce_0.85−xZr_0.15Y_xO₂ mixed oxides have been prepared by 1000 °C-nitrates calcination to ensure thermally stable catalysts. The physico-chemical properties of the mixed oxides have been studied by N₂ adsorption at −196 °C, XPS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and H₂-TPR, and the catalytic activity for soot oxidation in air has been studied by TG in the loose and tight contact modes. Yttrium is accumulated at the surface of Ce_1−xY_xO₂ and Ce_0.85−xZr_0.15Y_xO₂, and this accumulation is more pronounced for the former formulation than for the latter, because the deformation of the lattice due to zirconium doping favours yttrium incorporation. Yttrium and zirconium exhibit opposite effects on the surface concentration of cerium; while zirconium promotes the formation of cerium-rich surfaces, yttrium hinders the accumulation of cerium on the surface. For experiments in tight contact between soot and catalyst, all the Ce_1−xY_xO₂ catalysts are more active than bare CeO₂, and Ce_0.99Y_0.01O₂ is the most active catalyst. The benefit of yttrium doping in catalytic activity of ceria can be related to two facts: (i) the Y³⁺ surface enrichment hinders crystallite growth; (ii) the surface segregation of Y³⁺ promotes oxygen vacancies creation. High yttrium loading (x = 0.12) is less effective than low dosage (x = 0.01) because yttrium is mainly accumulated at the surface of the particles and hinders the participation of cerium in the soot oxidation reaction, which is the active component. For the mixed oxides with formulation Ce_0.85−xZr_0.15Y_xO₂ (operating in tight contact) the effect of zirconium on the catalytic activity prevails with respect to that of yttrium. For experiments in loose contact between soot and catalyst, the catalytic activity depends on their BET surface area, and the catalysts Ce_0.85−xZr_0.15Y_xO₂ (BET = 10–13 m²/g) are more active than the catalysts Ce_1−xY_xO₂ (BET = 2–3 m²/g). In the loose contact mode, the yttrium doping and loading have a minor or null affect on the activity, and the stabilising effect of the BET area due to zirconium doping prevails.     

A comparison between polysulfone,zirconia and organo-mineral membranes for use in ultrafiltration

In this paper, representative polymeric (a PSf/PVP membrane), ceramic (a ZrO₂ membrane) and organo-mineral (a ZrO₂/PSf membrane) ultrafiltration membranes, all in the tubular configuration, are being compared for their basic membrane properties, and for the typical ultrafiltration application of protein recovery of cheese whey. These three different membranes with a quite similar pore size (the cut-off values for each of the three membranes were comprised between 25 000 and 50 000 Dalton) showed pure water permeability coefficients between 135 and 1250 l/h m² bar. The highest pure water flux was found for the organo-mineral membrane, the lowest for the polymeric membrane. By FESEM analysis of the top-surfaces (skin) of both the PSf/PVP and the ZrO₂/PSf membrane a strong difference in surface-porosity was found. These results were claimed to partially explain the difference in pure water flux. From SEM pictures of the cross-section of the ZrO₂/PSf membrane it could also be seen that the skin layer thickness is smaller, at these places where particles are present near the skin-surface, compared to the rest of the membrane as well as to the skin of the PSf/PVP membrane. These latter observations were also used to further explain the flux difference between the PSf/PVP and the ZrO₂/PSf membrane.     

Liquid-phase Oppenauer oxidation of primary allylic and benzylic alcohols to corresponding aldehydes by solid zirconia catalysts

Hydrous zirconia and grafted zirconium 1-propoxide catalysts were found active in the Oppenauer oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol, geraniol and 4-tert-butylcyclohexanol (cis- and trans-). The most active hydrous zirconia catalysts were formed by calcining at 250–300 °C. Grafted zirconium 1-propoxide on silica gel and MCM-41 were active in the Oppenauer oxidation of geraniol with high selectivity to the desired citral product. However, over an acidic support such as AlMCM, the grafted zirconium 1-propoxide catalysed the dehydration and isomerisation of the alcohol, leading to low yield to citral. Also, furfural was found to be an efficient oxidant for the titled Oppenauer oxidation. Other solid catalysts such as γ-Al₂O₃, Na–Al₂O₃, zeolite beta and Mg/Al hydrotalcite showed only moderate catalytic activity and selectivity in the Oppenauer oxidation of geraniol. As compared to other solid catalysts, hydrous zirconia solid catalysts used in this work are active and selective towards the formation of desired carbonyl oxidation products; additionally, these solid zirconia catalysts are easy to prepare and recycle, and applicable to different alcohol substrates.

Graphical abstract

Hydrous zirconia calcined at 250–300 °C and grafted zirconium 1-propoxide solid catalysts were found to be efficient for the Oppenauer oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol, geraniol and 4-tert-butylcyclohexanol in toluene when furfural was used as the oxidant.

Full-size image (4K)

     

Separation of enantiomers on bovine serum albumin coated zirconia in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Summary Zirconia is known to be one of the best materials for the chromatographic support due to its excellent chemical, thermal and mechanical stability. In this work we report preparation and use of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-immobilized zirconia as a chiral stationary phase for separation of some enantiomers in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The BSA-zirconia showed good enantioselectivity for some of the enantiomers studied and could be used for RPLC separations in mobile phases of alkaline pH.     

Bulk determination of uranium and thorium in presence of each other by Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence spectrometry

A study to assess the applicability of Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry as a microanalytical technique for the determination of uranium and thorium as major elements in presence of each other has been made. Effect of dilution of the sample on the analytical results has been investigated. It has been found that dilution of the sample does not affect the analytical results significantly. Also the analytical results of uranium and thorium are similar with different internal standards e.g. cobalt, gallium and yttrium. With a sample size of 10 μL and the concentrations of the analytes in the range of 1–50 μg/mL and total matrix concentration less than 200 μg/mL, the precision and accuracy of the method were found to be better than 3% (1 s) and 4%, respectively. For higher concentration ranges of the analyte (up to about 700 μg/mL), the precision and accuracy values were better than 6% (1 s) and 5%, respectively. The TXRF method has an advantage of using small sample volume of about 10 μL, produces very small radioactive waste and is nondestructive but requires dissolution of the sample.