Physico-chemical and ion exchange characteristics of ammonium molybdophosphate irradiated with electrons

Abstract

Physico-chemical changes accompanying the irradiation of ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP) with electrons up to a dose of 200 MGy have been studied by X-ray diffraction, SEM, EDX, thermal analyses, EPR and NMR measurements. The ion exchange characteristics of the control and irradiated AMP with respect to Cs+ have been studied using simulated acidic nuclear waste solutions in a column. Apparent equilibrium constants for the Cs+–H+ exchange have been calculated from breakthrough curves. Structural breakdown occurred on irradiating AMP to a dose of 100–200 MGy and was partially converted to MoO3 and ammonium molybdate. Although the useful exchange capacities of the irradiated AMP were reduced, the apparent ion exchange selectivity for Cs+ (with respect to H+) improved as compared to the control AMP.