Investigating Radiation-Induced Actinide Species in Solution

Conference · Tue Feb 18 00:00:00 EST 2025

OSTI ID:2522689

Kynman, Amy Elizabeth ^[1]; Holmbeck, Gregory Peter ^[1]

---

1. Idaho National Laboratory

Our fundamental understanding of actinide radiation-induced redox chemistry is crucial to nuclear fuel cycle development, due to the unavoidable exposure of these elements to ionizing radiation fields, both inherent and from in-process applications. Plutonium (Pu) and americium (Am) both possess multiple oxidation states, the careful manipulation of which are essential in the study and utilization of their rich chemistry, developing new nuclear technologies, and securing the long-term sustainability of nuclear power. However, knowledge in this area is far from complete. Consequently, we have studied the radiation-induced chemistry of both Pu and Am through a variety of techniques. Temperature-controlled electron pulse radiolysis has been used to study Am for the first time, determining the feasibility of Am redox reactions under used nuclear fuel reprocessing conditions, (e.g. nitric acid, non-ambient temperature). Additionally, we have developed an experimentally evaluated multi-scale computer model for the prediction of gamma radiation-induced Pu redox chemistry due to radiolysis and disproportionation reactions in concentrated nitric acid solutions.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: 58
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 2522689
• Report Number(s): INL/CON-24-81523-Rev000
• Conference Information: Nuclear Energy Agency Global Forum Rising Stars Workshop in Nuclear Education, Science, Technology and Policy, Karlsruhe, Germany, 11/25/2024 - 11/26/2024
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
americium
multiscale modeling
plutonium
pulse radiolysis
radiation chemistry
redox