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Synthesis and Structural Characterization of K3Th2(PO4)3F2 and RbThPO4F2 as Potential Nuclear Waste Storage Materials

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Abstract

Two new alkali thorium phosphate materials, K3Th2(PO4)3F2 and RbThPO4F2, were isolated by hydrothermal synthesis at 575 °C. These structures were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction using a full-matrix least squares method. The K3Th2(PO4)3F2 compound crystallizes in C2/c (No. 15) with a = 15.8179(15) Å, b = 9.8172(8) Å, c = 9.6472(9) Å, β = 121.132(7)°, Z = 4 and R 1 = 0.0329. This structure contains two large open channels possibly suitable for incorporating radioactive cesium isotopes for waste storage. The RbThPO4F2 structure forms in the P2 1 /m (No. 11) space group with a = 6.719(4) Å, b = 6.002(3) Å, c = 7.431(5) Å, β = 113.925(19)°, Z = 2 and R 1 = 0.0359. Unique to this material is a chain of edge sharing thorium with square antiprism coordination environments where fluorine occupies both sites along the edge. Both structures also represent the first occurrences of a fluorinated alkali thorium phosphate material.

Graphical Abstract

Two novel fluorinated alkali thorium phosphate structures, K3Th2(PO4)3F2 and RbThPO4F2, were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis as potential radioactive waste storage materials.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the National Science Foundation (DMR-0305377 and DMR-2097435) for funding.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634-0973, USA

    Matthew Mann & Joseph Kolis

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  1. Matthew Mann
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  2. Joseph Kolis
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Correspondence to Joseph Kolis.

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Mann, M., Kolis, J. Synthesis and Structural Characterization of K3Th2(PO4)3F2 and RbThPO4F2 as Potential Nuclear Waste Storage Materials. J Chem Crystallogr 40, 337–342 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10870-009-9658-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10870-009-9658-1

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