Plutonium uptake by brucite and hydroxylated periclase

Abstract

Batch adsorption experiments and spectroscopic investigations consistently show that aqueous Pu(IV) is quickly removed from solution and becomes incorporated in a brucite or hydroxylated MgO surface to a depth of at least 50 nm, primarily as Pu(IV) within a pH range of 8.5–12.5, and is unaffected by the presence of the organic ligand, citrate. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) were used to estimate Pu penetration depth and provide information about its chemical state.