Cesium immobilization in perovskite-type Ba1-x(La, Cs)xZrO3 ceramics by sol-gel method

Radioactive and toxic cesium (Cs) is difficult to be immobilized due to the volatilizing at high temperatures. Ba1-x(La, Cs)(x)ZrO3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) ceramics were synthesized by sol-gel method at a low temperature for Cs immobilization. The structural and morphological characterizations show that the Ba1-x(La, Cs)(x)ZrO3 ceramics composed of closely arranged particles have a single perovskite structure, and Cs has been successfully incorporated into the lattice. Leaching test shows that Cs has an excellent leaching rate (0.894 x 10(-3) g m(-2) d(-1)) in Ba1-x(La, Cs)(x)ZrO3 ceramics, lower than the hollandite-rich synroc and pollucite. It reveals that the perovskite-type Ba1-x(La, Cs)(x)ZrO3 ceramics have high chemical stability and can be a potential alternative material to immobilize Cs.