Abstract
β-Thorium phosphate diphosphate ( β-TPD), considered as a very promising radwaste storage material, was obtained from thorium phosphate hydrogenphosphate hydrate (TPHPH) precursor through dehydration and hydrogen phosphate condensation. The structures of TPHPH, intermediate α-thorium phosphate diphosphate ( α-TPD) and its hydrate ( α-TPDH) have been resolved ab initio by Rietveld analysis of their synchrotron diffraction patterns. All were found orthorhombic (space group Cmcm) and similarly composed of [ThPO 4] 4 4+ slabs alternating with disordered layers hosting either [HPO 4·H 2O] 2 4− (TPHPH), [P 2O 7·2H 2O] 4− ( α-TPDH), or [P 2O 7] 4− ( α-TPD), unlike the 3D structure of β-TPD. The diphosphate groups of α-TPD and α-TPDH are strongly bent. The irreversible transition to the final β-TPD consists in a shearing of the slabs and a reduction of the interslabs cavities that explains the stability of this high-temperature form.
Submitted Version (Free)
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.