Sorption of Strontium to Uraninite and Uranium(IV)-Silicate Nanoparticles

Spent nuclear fuel contains both uranium (U) and high yield fission products, including strontium-90 (Sr-90), a key radioactive contaminant at nuclear facilities. Both U and Sr-90 will be present where spent nuclear fuel has been processed, including in storage ponds and tanks. However, the interactions between Sr and U phases under ambient conditions are not well understood. Over a pH range of 4-14, we investigate Sr sorption behavior in contact with two nuclear fuel cycle relevant U(IV) phases: nano-uraninite (UO2) and U(IV)-silicate nanoparticles. Nano-UO2 is a product of the anaerobic corrosion of metallic uranium fuel, and UO2 is also the predominant form of U in ceramic fuels. U(IV)-silicates form stable colloids under the neutral to alkaline pH conditions highly relevant to nuclear fuel storage ponds and geodisposal scenarios. In sorption experiments, Sr had the highest affinity for UO2, although significant Sr sorption also occurred to U(IV)-silicate phases at pH >= 6. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and desorption data for the UO2 system suggested that Sr interacted with UO2 via a near surface, highly coordinated complex at pH >= 10. EXAFS measurements for the U(IV)-silicate samples showed outer-sphere Sr sorption dominated at acidic and near-neutral pH with intrinsic Sr-silicates forming at pH >= 12. These complex interactions of Sr with important U(IV) phases highlight a largely unrecognized control on Sr-90 mobility in environments of relevance to spent nuclear fuel management and storage.

Automated summary

This article explores the interactions between uranium (U) and strontium (Sr) in spent nuclear fuel processing and storage, finding that different U phases exhibit varying sorption behaviors towards Sr at different pH levels. These complex interactions highlight an important control mechanism on the mobility of Sr-90 in environments relevant to spent nuclear fuel management and storage.