Immobilization of 129I in nuclear waste glass matrixes synthesized under high-pressure conditions: an experimental study

There is major environmental interest in finding a sustainable solution to immobilize I-129, a by-product of the nuclear industry. The use of aluminoborosilicate glasses represents a good compromise. However, this solution does not appear adequate for I-129 owing to its volatility at high temperature during the vitrification process. In the present work, we use a high-pressure (1.5 GPa) apparatus to synthesize I-rich aluminoborosilicate glasses. We show that the use of high-pressure conditions enhances the I solubility in glasses by several orders of magnitude as compared to 1 bar synthesis, with I solubility up to 5.7 mol%. We observed that I is more solubilized in Na-rich as compared to Ca-rich glass. Investigation of the I speciation using XPS also reveals that I solubility in glasses is much higher as I dissolves as I5+ in comparison to I-. Our work shows that using high-pressure appears to be a reliable solution for dissolving a large quantity of I within the structure of aluminoborosilicate glasses for the conditioning of nuclear waste. We also demonstrate that the oxidized I waste form should be employed to greatly increase I solubility in nuclear waste glasses. Therefore, it represents a potential pathway for solving the immobilization of I-129 produced by anthropic nuclear activity.

Automated summary

This study explores the use of high-pressure synthesis to enhance the solubility of I in aluminoborosilicate glasses, providing a potential solution for the immobilization of I-129 in nuclear waste. The research demonstrates that high-pressure conditions significantly increase the I solubility in glasses, particularly in Na-rich compositions, and oxidized I waste form should be utilized to further improve I solubility.