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The incorporation of cerium in zirconolite

Book ·
OSTI ID:572076
;  [1]
  1. ANSTO, Menai, New South Wales (Australia). Materials Div.

Zirconolite (CaZrTi{sub 2}O{sub 7}) is the primary actinide-bearing Synroc phase for the immobilization of high-level nuclear waste. Using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and microanalysis the authors have investigated the incorporation of cerium, as a simulant for plutonium, on both zirconolite`s Ca and Zr sites under a range of redox conditions. The Ce valence state was found to vary between Ce{sup 3+} and Ce{sup 4+} depending on both the sintering atmosphere and temperature. The existence of alternative charge compensation schemes, predominantly cation vacancies, in addition to those used in the sample design was inferred in many of the zirconolites and will be discussed in detail.

OSTI ID:
572076
Report Number(s):
CONF-961202--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English