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Speciation of U and Am in sol–gel derived borosilicate glasses by photoluminescence lifetime spectroscopy

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Abstract

Borosilicate glasses are intended to be the barrier in between the high level nuclear waste and the geosphere. The oxidation state and the coordination geometry of a particular element in the glass influences its solubility, migration and complexation behavior, which in turn influences its long term leaching behavior. In this context, uranium and americium containing barium borosilicate glasses were prepared by sol–gel route and the speciation studies of U and Am in the glasses were carried out using photoluminescence lifetime spectroscopic technique. It was observed that in the matrix the uranium is stabilised as (UO6)6– and the americium as Am3+.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Dr. S. V. Godbole, former Head, Spectroscopy section, RCD and Dr. A. R. Dhobale, RCD for useful discussion and suggestions during the work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India

    M. Mohapatra & V. Natarajan

  2. Radioanalytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India

    B. S. Tomar

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  1. M. Mohapatra
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  2. V. Natarajan
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  3. B. S. Tomar
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Correspondence to M. Mohapatra.

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Mohapatra, M., Natarajan, V. & Tomar, B.S. Speciation of U and Am in sol–gel derived borosilicate glasses by photoluminescence lifetime spectroscopy. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 308, 347–350 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4499-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4499-1

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