Encapsulation of iodine-loaded metallated silica materials by a geopolymer matrix

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  • Sarah Kearney
    University of Sheffield
  • Thomas Robshaw
    University of Sheffield
  • Joshua Turner
    National Nuclear Laboratory, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1PG, UK
  • Clint Sharrad
    University of Sheffield
  • Brant Walkley
    University of Sheffield
  • Mark Ogden
    University of Sheffield
The development of a wasteform for the disposal of I-129 would enable a change in waste management of iodine from recycling of nuclear fuel. Initial results investigating the encapsulation of iodide-loaded metallated silica sorbents into a geopolymer matrix are presented. Two silica materials, with a mercapto and a thiourea functionality, were found in scoping trials to have modest iodide loading capacities [72.9 ± 5 mg(I)/g, 119.5 ± 5 g(I)/g]]. Loaded sorbents were encapsulated in a geopolymer (GP) matrix at a conservative 2 wt% loading of capture material to test whether a wasteform could be created. A Blast Furnace Slag:Portland Cement (BFS:PC) cement was created as a benchmark reference. Successful formation of both BFS:PC and GP wasteforms was achieved, but the silica matrix in the GP samples was found to break down due to the high pH (~ 14) of the fresh geopolymer paste. Bleed water from one of the GP samples was analysed showing formation of Ag2S.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)105-109
Number of pages4
JournalMRS Advances
Volume7
Early online date9 Feb 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2022
Externally publishedYes
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