Scoping studies for low-temperature melting ZnO–Bi₂O₃–(B₂O₃, SiO₂) binder glass

Journal Article · 09 February 2022 · MRS Advances

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-022-00219-0 · OSTI ID:1903220

Lere-Adams, Arumala Josiah ^[1]; Stone-Weiss, Nicholas ^[2]; Bollinger, David L. ^[2]; McCloy, John S.  ^[2]

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1. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States); Washington State University
2. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)

In this work, low melting point glass systems were explored as candidates for binders of solid oxide nuclear wastes which include volatile elements such as radioactive iodine. The base glass systems considered were ZnO-Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ and ZnO-Bi₂O₃-SiO₂, with specific compositions selected for synthesis trials based on available phase diagrams and a desire to explore the whole glass-forming region. Ten compositions were synthesized by melt quenching. Promising candidate glass binders were selected based on absence of crystallization and favorable thermal properties, including low glass transition temperature (T_g) combined with a high crystallization onset temperature. These thermal properties indicate stable glass forming which would lead to sintering behavior needed for glass binding. Compositional effects include: higher Bi₂O₃ content lead to lower Tg values, high ZnO content generally led to crystallization on quench, and high SiO₂ content resulted in requirements for excessively high melting temperature. 25ZnO-15Bi₂O₃-60B₂O₃ was down-selected for some detailed crystallization versus time and temperature studies.

• Research Organization: Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• Grant/Contract Number: NE0008964
• OSTI ID: 1903220
• Journal Information: MRS Advances, Journal Name: MRS Advances Journal Issue: 5-6 Vol. 7; ISSN 2059-8521
• Publisher: Springer NatureCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English