The effectiveness of TRIS and ammonium buffers in glass dissolution studies: a comparative analysis

Ravikumar, Ramya; Thorpe, Clare L.; Corkhill, Claire L.; Walling, Sam A.; Neeway, James J.; Pearce, Carolyn I.; Kruger, Albert A.; Kosson, David S.; Marcial, Jose; Hand, Russell J.

doi:10.1038/s41529-025-00552-3

Title: The effectiveness of TRIS and ammonium buffers in glass dissolution studies: a comparative analysis

Journal Article · 14 January 2025 · npj Materials Degradation

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-025-00552-3 · OSTI ID:2500402

Ravikumar, Ramya ^[1];

^[2];

^[3]; Walling, Sam A. ^[2];

^[4];

^[5];

^[6]; Marcial, Jose ^[4];

^[2]

University of Sheffield (United Kingdom); BMS Engineering College, Bengaluru (India)
University of Sheffield (United Kingdom)
University of Bristol (United Kingdom)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
USDOE Office of River Protection (ORP), Richland, WA (United States)
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN (United States)

Selecting appropriate buffers is crucial for evaluating the chemical durability of glass under controlled conditions such as in the EPA 1313 test designed to measure elemental release as a function of pH. The efficacy of two alkali-metal free buffers, TRIS (NH₂C(CH₂OH)₃) and ammonium chloride—ammonia (NH₃/NH₄Cl), was investigated during EPA 1313 testing of a simulated Hanford low-activity waste borosilicate glass in the alkaline regime (pH 8.5–10.5) at varying temperatures (RT, 40 °C, and 60 °C). While both buffers maintained the desired pH at room temperature, and up to 40 °C, the effectiveness of TRIS decreased at elevated temperatures, particularly at pH 10.5. Although ¹¹B NMR showed evidence of TRIS-B complexation, its effect on the rate of elemental release was found to be negligible under the test conditions. With ammonium buffer, the release of alkali cations was slightly elevated when compared to the same conditions with TRIS at early time points.

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Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS); Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

OSTI ID:: 2500402

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA--199590

Journal Information:: npj Materials Degradation, Journal Name: npj Materials Degradation Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 9; ISSN 2397-2106

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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