The corrosion behavior of technetium metal exposed to aqueous sulfate and chloride solutions

Journal Article · Wed Apr 19 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/2.1561706jes· OSTI ID:1358171

Kolman, David Gary ^[1]; Goff, George Scott  ^[1]; Cisneros, Michael Ruben ^[1]; Boland, Kevin Sean  ^[1]; Jarvinen, Gordon ^[1]; Poineau, Frederic ^[2]; Czerwinski, Ken ^[2]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
2. Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV (United States)

Here, metal waste forms are being studied as possible disposal forms for technetium and other fission products from spent nuclear fuel. As an initial step in assessing the viability of waste forms, technetium corrosion and passivity behavior was assessed across a broad pH spectrum (pH –1 to pH 13). Measurements indicate that the open circuit potential falls into the region of Tc⁺⁷ stability, more noble than the region of presumed passivity. Potentiodynamic polarization tests indicate that the Tc samples are not passive. Both electrochemical results and visual inspection suggest the presence of a nonprotective film. The corrosion rate is relatively independent of pH and low, as measured by linear polarization resistance. No evidence of passivity was observed in the Tc⁺⁴ region of the potential-pH diagram following in-situ abrasion, suggesting that Tc does not passivate, regardless of potential.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE). Nuclear Reactor Technologies (NE-7)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 1358171
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-17-21185
• Journal Information: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 164, Issue 6; ISSN 0013-4651
• Publisher: The Electrochemical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
corrosion
technetium