Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mengfan Zhou, Shuqin Wang, Muqing Qiu, Baowei Hu, Guofu Wang, Yin Lu
Summary: The recovery of uranium from nuclear waste solution is important for sustainable nuclear energy and environmental remediation. Various magnetic metal oxides have been used to remove uranium from aqueous solution due to their environmental friendliness, low cost, high adsorption capacity, and easy magnetic separation. However, the recent advances in the removal of U(VI) by magnetic metal oxides are not well known. This review summarizes the modification of magnetic metal oxides and the removal behavior of U(VI) using different magnetic metal oxides, providing a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the safe remediation of radionuclides.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Peng Mei, Jingting Xiao, Xinshui Huang, Ahadi Ishag, Yubing Sun
Summary: In this study, a novel SrTiO3/g-C3N4 composite material was synthesized and applied in the photocatalytic reduction of U(VI). The characterization results showed that this composite material exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance and stability, which is of great significance for improving solar energy utilization in actual environmental cleanup.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Wenbo You, Wanting Peng, Zhichao Tian, Maosheng Zheng
Summary: This review systematically summarizes the remediation of U(VI) contamination using microbial reduction, including mechanisms and influencing factors. In situ remediation is shown to be more effective for large-scale degradation of uranium contaminants, but reduction products can be reoxidized when exposed to oxygen and nitrate, compromising the remediation effects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gabriel C. Lavorato, Adriele A. de Almeida, Carolina Vericat, Mariano H. Fonticelli
Summary: Magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) are extensively studied nanomaterials due to their controllable characteristics and wide range of applications. The composition and crystal structure of magnetite NPs are influenced by redox phase transformations, which affect their physicochemical properties and technological applications. This article reviews the research on the synthesis, phase transformations, and the impact of crystal defects on the properties of magnetite NPs. The precise control of composition and structure is crucial for their biomedical applications.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nabil Shaikh, Jiajie Qian, Sewoon Kim, Hoa Phan, Juan S. Lezama-Pacheco, Abdul-Mehdi S. Ali, David M. Cwiertny, Tori Z. Forbes, Amanda J. Haes, Jose M. Cerrato
Summary: Phosphonate functionalized electrospun nanofibers have been found to effectively uptake U(VI), especially when functionalized with longer-chain phosphonate surfactants. The interaction between U(VI) and environmentally relevant ions was investigated, and it was observed that the presence of bicarbonate ions may increase the solubility of uranium. The study also revealed that U is bound to phosphonate groups as a monodentate inner sphere surface complex. This study provides valuable insights for the development of technologies for the detection and treatment of U in water.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yangyang Zhang, Jeremy B. Fein, Yilian Li, Qiang Yu, Bo Zu, Chunli Zheng
Summary: The study demonstrated that LHA-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles exhibit pH-dependent U(VI) adsorption and follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with good recoverability for adsorption. The adsorption mechanism involves both Fe surface sites and oxygen-containing groups, with binding onto carboxyl sites dominating at the highest extents of LHA coating.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Katerina Philippou, Christos N. Christou, Vlad Socoliuc, Ladislau Vekas, Eugenia Tanasa, Marinela Miclau, Ioannis Pashalidis, Theodora Krasia-Christoforou
Summary: Magnetoactive electrospun fibrous membranes composed of PVP, CS, and pre-fabricated OA.OA.Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully used for the removal of uranium from aqueous solutions. The inclusion of Fe3O4 NPs was found to enhance the adsorption efficiency of U(VI) from aquatic environments, with stable relative adsorption percentages and decreased desorption percentages observed after regeneration and reuse experiments.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fenglei Liu, Shanshan Wang, Baowei Hu
Summary: MXenes-decorated nanoscale FeS composites were prepared via electrostatic self-assembly strategy for efficient U(VI)/Cr(VI) adsorption-reduction. Different analytical techniques characterized the materials and confirmed the desired morphology and properties. MXenes improved the dispersion of FeS nano-particles and suppressed aggregation. The adsorption data followed the Langmuir isotherm and Pseudo-second-order equation, with maximum removal efficiencies of 88.5 and 107.2 mg/g for uranium(VI) and chromium(VI). The presence of other cations and anions had no significant influence on U(VI)/Cr(VI) removal, and the elimination process was spontaneous and endothermic. The work demonstrated the potential of MXenes-based materials for wastewater decontamination.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Crystallography
Xing Zhong, Nan Lv, Meicheng Zhang, Yubin Tan, Qiaozhulin Yuan, Caixia Hu, Mingyang Ma, Yongchuan Wu, Jinbo Ouyang
Summary: In this manuscript, a new magnetic porous beta-cyclodextrin polymer nanoparticle (CA-PCDP@MNPs) was developed for efficient removal of radioactive uranium (U(VI)) from water. The CA-PCDP@MNPs showed a well-developed porous structure, high specific surface area, and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, providing sufficient active sites for chelating uranyl ions. The CA-PCDP@MNPs also exhibited fast response magnetic recovery ability and excellent regeneration and recycling ability. These findings suggest that the CA-PCDP@MNPs have great potential in practical applications for nuclear wastewater treatment.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chao Gao, Jixue Sui, Kang Chen, Zongyuan Chen, Wangsuo Wu, Zhijun Guo
Summary: The study demonstrates that nZVI can effectively remove U(VI) from strongly alkaline solutions in anaerobic conditions, with a reduction efficiency of up to 95.5%, but the efficiency drops significantly in aerobic conditions due to oxidation and desorption processes. This offers new insights into the mechanisms of U(VI) interactions with nZVI in alkaline media and provides a potential approach for uranium recovery from spent nZVI.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Evgeny Gerber, Anna Krot, Karina Andreadi, Alexey Averin, Andrey Shiryaev, Alexander Trigub, Nikita Sobolev, Iurii Nevolin
Summary: Uranium hydrazinates with a poorly crystalline layered structure have been synthesized and their phase transitions upon heating have been studied. It has been found that the elemental composition of U(vi) hydrazinate can be described as UO3·0.3N2H4·1.7H2O. The thermal treatment of xUO3·yN2H4·zH2O is secure and applicable for nuclear technology due to the weak exothermic effect and absence of combustible gases.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jia Lei, Huanhuan Liu, Changpeng Yuan, Qiang Chen, Ji-An Liu, Fengchun Wen, Xinying Jiang, Wenjie Deng, Xudong Cui, Tao Duan, Wenkun Zhu, Rong He
Summary: Introducing oxygen vacancies into WO3 nanosheets resulted in highly efficient photocatalytic reduction of U(VI) and photo-degradation of organics, with excellent removal and adsorption capacities for U(VI). The vacancy engineering in metal oxides broadened the visible light response range and enhanced the photocatalytic activity of WO2.78 nanosheets for the treatment of uranium-containing wastewater.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yan Yuan, Tianyu Chen, Feifei Zhang, Yuanyuan Liu, Guolin Xiong, Guang-Yi Wei, Tais W. Dahl, Wen Yan, Hong-Fei Ling, Hai Cheng, Shu-Zhong Shen
Summary: The uranium isotope ratio in marine carbonates is an important tool for reconstructing past oceanic redox conditions. However, diagenetic processes may complicate this proxy by introducing isotopically heavy uranium into the carbonates. This study quantifies the valence states of trace amounts of uranium in geological carbonate samples and finds that modern coral carbonates faithfully record uranium from seawater. Surprisingly, drill core samples from a modern coral carbonate platform show a significant positive correlation between a specific valence state of uranium and the uranium isotope ratio, suggesting the presence of this valence state in marine carbonates and its influence on the uranium isotope ratio. The study suggests that coupled valence and isotope analyses of uranium in marine carbonates could provide critical constraints for reconstructing marine redox evolution.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Feixue Gao, Zhe Wang, Ming Fang, Xiaoli Tan, Shao Hui Xu, Mao Liu, Guang Tao Fei, Li De Zhang
Summary: Significant progress has been made in the application of nanomaterials in the fields of energy and environment. This study successfully developed a cheap and readily available piezocatalyst of calcium phosphate nanorods for extracting U(VI) from water. By generating H2O2, the extraction efficiency of U(VI) reached 97.16% within 330 min, offering a low-cost and efficient approach for U(VI) treatment in wastewater.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yachao Xu, Hongsen Zhang, Qi Liu, Jingyuan Liu, Rongrong Chen, Jing Yu, Jiahui Zhu, Rumin Li, Jun Wang
Summary: The TiO2/CPAN-AO catalyst prepared in this paper showed excellent selectivity in reducing uranium and has great potential in large-scale uranium extraction from natural seawater.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Damian Polomski, Nicole A. DiBlasi, Kathy Dardenne, Xavier Gaona, Kenneth Czerwinski, Maciej Chotkowski
Summary: The physicochemical properties of a choline chloride (ChCl) and formic acid (FA) mixture (1:2 molar ratio) were studied over a broad range of temperatures. At very low temperatures, the mixture remained in a liquid state, exhibiting a glass transition. The system showed beneficial electrochemical properties, indicating its suitability as an electrolyte in electrochemical measurements. The electrochemical reduction of Tc(vii) ions in this non-aqueous electrolyte was studied for the first time and resulted in the formation of a Tc(iv) ionic form.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
P. Fouquet-Metivier, P. M. Martin, D. Manara, K. Dardenne, J. Rothe, P. C. M. Fossati, C. Gueneau
Summary: Mixed oxides of uranium and plutonium U1-yPuyO2-x are studied for SFRs fuel, and accurate description of the solidus and liquidus temperatures is crucial. In this work, parameters of the liquid phase of the Pu-O and U-Pu-O systems are reassessed based on a model, and good agreement between calculated and experimental data is obtained. The melting behavior of U1-yPuyO2 +/- x oxides is then studied as a function of plutonium content and oxygen stoichiometry.
CALPHAD-COMPUTER COUPLING OF PHASE DIAGRAMS AND THERMOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nitin Khandelwal, Nisha Singh, Ekta Tiwari, Remi Marsac, Dieter Schild, Thorsten Schaefer, Gopala Krishna Darbha
Summary: In this study, the growth behavior of redox sensitive Fe0 nanoparticles (nZVI) was found to vary on different clay surfaces. The non-swelling kaolinite (K-nZVI) showed dominant surface growth characteristics, forming larger nZVI particles (>24.8 +/- 7.4 nm) with positive zeta potential. On the other hand, the swelling bentonite (B-nZVI) exhibited negative zeta potential, mainly due to the surface charge of bentonite clay. This surface-dependent variation resulted in higher and faster removal of oxy-anions with K-nZVI, while B-nZVI showed higher sorption of cations. XPS and pXRD analysis confirmed the major removal mechanisms of reductive sorption, co-precipitation/complexation, electrostatic attraction, and complexation. The findings highlight the potential applications of K-nZVI and B-nZVI in removing specific contaminants from different types of water sources.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Paul Estevenon, Lucia Amidani, Stephen Bauters, Christelle Tamain, Michael Bodensteiner, Florian Meurer, Christoph Hennig, Gavin Vaughan, Thomas Dumas, Kristina O. Kvashnina
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive interpretation of X-ray measurements on Ce complexes and explores the formation of CeO2 nanoparticles from few Ce ions. The Ce clusters with growing size and nuclearity were synthesized and characterized, revealing consistent trends and changes in CeO2-like properties. The experimental observations were supported by theoretical simulations, extending the fundamental knowledge of Ce oxide nanomaterials.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tim Platte, Nicolas Finck, Frank Heberling, Robert Polly, Tim Pruessmann, Kathy Dardenne, Horst Geckeis
Summary: Research shows that green rust chloride (GR-Cl) can retain iodide at low ionic strengths and pH levels between 7.5 and 8.5. The sorption of iodide by GR-Cl is influenced by ion exchange and the transformation of GR-Cl/I phases to magnetite. The presence of sulfate anions inhibits the uptake of iodide.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Janis Leon Pingel, Johannes Kulenkampff, Daniel Jara-Heredia, Madeleine Stoll, Wenyu Zhou, Cornelius Fischer, Thorsten Schaeffer
Summary: We used PET imaging to investigate the fluid flow field in a fractured granite core sample. The experiments were conducted on a fractured granitic drill core and flow field was analyzed as a function of in-and outlet positions across the fracture and applied flow rates. The study reveals the impact of fracture aperture variation and topography of the fracture surface on the flow field, leading to different flow path characteristics.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jean-Francois Vigier, Thierry Wiss, Natalia Palina, Tonya Vitova, Jean-Yves Colle, Daniel Bouexiere, Daniel Freis, Rudy J. M. Konings, Karin Popa
Summary: AmVO3 and AmVO4 compounds were prepared by a solid-state reaction and their crystal structures were determined using powder X-ray diffraction combined with Rietveld refinement. The oxidation states of americium were confirmed using the HR-XANES technique. These ceramics, which are investigated as potential power sources for space applications, were tested for their stability under self-irradiation and heat treatment. The results suggest that americium vanadates may not be suitable for radioisotope power systems due to their amorphization behavior, volume variation, and interchangeable structure.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lucia Amidani, Thomas Dumas, David K. Shuh, Sergei M. Butorin, Christoph J. Sahle, Alessandro Longo, Kristina O. Kvashnina
Summary: Experimental oxygen K-edge spectra of ThO2 and CeO2 are interpreted based on density functional theory (DFT), identifying the contribution of d and f orbitals to the spectra. The sensitivity of the spectra to both f- and d-states provides insight into the electronic structure involved in the chemical bond. The Th 5f band shows a larger bandwidth and more substantial peaks compared to the Ce 4f band in the O K-edge, confirming stronger hybridization with O orbitals. Calculations and discussions are also conducted to demonstrate the sensitivity of the spectra to structural changes in ThO2-based systems.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephan Hilpmann, Andre Rossberg, Robin Steudtner, Bjorn Drobot, Rene Huebner, Frank Bok, Damien Prieur, Stephen Bauters, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Thorsten Stumpf, Andrea Cherkouk
Summary: Microbial U(VI) reduction can influence uranium mobility in contaminated subsurface environments and impact the disposal of high-level radioactive waste. This study investigated the reduction of U(VI) by the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfosporosinus hippei DSM 8344T, which showed fast removal of uranium in artificial Opalinus Clay pore water. Findings from spectroscopic techniques revealed the presence of U(IV) and intermediate U(V) species during the process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabriel L. Murphy, Robert Gericke, Sara Gilson, Elena F. Bazarkina, Andre Rossberg, Peter Kaden, Robert Thuemmler, Martina Klinkenberg, Maximilian Henkes, Philip Kegler, Volodymyr Svitlyk, Julien Marquardt, Theresa Lender, Christoph Hennig, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Nina Huittinen
Summary: In this study, researchers used electron paramagnetic resonance, high energy resolution fluorescence detection X-ray absorption near energy structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic measurements to investigate the redox chemistry and mechanism of Cr-doped UO2 nuclear fuel. The results revealed the complexity of Cr states and provided valuable insights for the safe use of Cr-doped UO2 fuels for nuclear energy generation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sanduni Ratnayake, Johannes Luetzenkirchen, Nicolas Finck, Dieter Schild, Frank Heberling, Teba Gil-Diaz, Kathy Dardenne, Joerg Rothe, Horst Geckeis
Summary: The speciation of thorium in soil samples from Sri Lanka was investigated using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). The results showed that thorium predominantly exists as thorium phosphate (76%) and thorium oxide (24%), with minor amounts of thorium silicate also detected. This study provides quantitative and qualitative information on thorium mineral phases in soil samples from Sri Lanka using XAS for the first time.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Yang, Pavel A. Korzhavyi, Pavel A. Nikolaychuk, Elena F. Bazarkina, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Sergei M. Butorin, Nadezda V. Tarakina, Inna L. Soroka
Summary: Transition metal-based catalysts have the potential to replace Pt-based materials in energy conversion devices due to their low cost, reasonable activity, stability, and corrosion resistance. This study demonstrates the synthesis of homogeneous alloy nanoparticles with controlled structure and varying Ni-to-Co ratios using a gamma-radiolytic reduction method. The presence of structural defects in the obtained samples influenced the catalysts' activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction but had a less pronounced effect on the oxygen reduction reaction. The activity of Ni-Co catalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction was found to be affected by the formation of Ni-OH bonds on the surface.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Mallory S. Ho, Gianni F. Vettese, Paula H. Keto, Suvi P. Lamminmaki, Minna Vikman, Emmi Myllykyla, Kathy Dardenne, Gareth T. W. Law
Summary: Flow-through columns were used to study the long-term trends in Sr-90 biogeochemistry and transport in a low-level waste repository. The experiments showed that Sr removal from the water was initially high but gradually decreased over time. The analysis of the effluents indicated that colloids did not form, suggesting that Sr output was likely to be in an aqueous form.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
U. Pott, C. Crasselt, N. Fobbe, M. Haist, M. Heinemann, S. Hellmann, D. Ivanov, C. Jakob, D. Jansen, L. Lei, R. Li, J. Link, D. Lowke, V. Mechtcherine, J. Neubauer, D. Nicia, J. Plank, S. Reissig, T. Schaefer, C. Schilde, W. Schmidt, C. Schroefl, T. Sowoidnich, B. Strybny, N. Ukrainczyk, J. Wolf, P. Xiao, D. Stephan
Summary: This paper presents the characterization data of the reference materials used in the second funding phase of the priority program 2005 of the German Research Foundation (DFG SPP 2005), including the chemical and mineralogical composition as well as physical and chemical properties.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Malin C. Dixon C. Wilkins, Luke T. Townsend, Martin C. Stennett, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Claire L. Corkhill, Neil C. Hyatt
Summary: ThTi2O6 derived compounds with the brannerite structure were designed and synthesised to stabilise incorporation of U5+ or U6+ at dilute concentration. Co-substitution of Gd3+, Ca2+, Al3+, or Cr3+ on the Th or Ti site was used for charge compensation. XANES and Raman spectroscopy data showed that U5+ was the major oxidation state, with a minor fraction of U6+ (2-13%) in all compounds. The results suggest that uranate, rather than uranyl, is the dominant U6+ species in the reported brannerites due to unfavourable electrostatic repulsion arising from substitution in the octahedral Th or Ti sites.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)