Disposal Of High Radioactive Waste Research Articles

Facile synthesis of calcium magnesium zirconium phosphate adsorbents transformed into MZr4P6O24 (M: Ca, Mg) ceramic matrix for radionuclides immobilization

Calcium zirconium CaZr4P6O24 and magnesium zirconium MgZr4P6O24 phosphates with NZP structure are promising materials for the safe disposal of high radioactive wastes. Herein, firstly the facile synthesis of calcium magnesium zirconium phosphate adsorbents transformed into MZr4P6O24 (M: Ca, Mg) ceramic matrix as effective materials for radionuclides adsorption and immobilization was developed. The detailed analysis of phase composition, functional groups, elements content, surface morphology, texture and adsorption characteristics of prepared calcium magnesium zirconium phosphates were performed. It was shown that obtained samples were amorphous materials. The high efficacy (K d > 104cm3/g) of prepared adsorbents towards 137Cs, 85Sr, 60Co radionuclides in the wide pH range of 4.0–10.0 was demonstrated. The formation of calcium zirconium CaZr4P6O24 and magnesium zirconium MgZr4P6O24phosphates with zirconia ZrO2admixture during adsorbents calcination at 1000 °C was shown. The obtained results have high capabilities for the development of effective calcium magnesium zirconium phosphate adsorbents for radionuclides immobilization into MZr4P6O24(M: Ca, Mg) ceramic matrix.