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Fundamental Chemistry and Materials Science of Americium in Selected Immobilization Glasses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 September 2012

R. G. Haire  and
N. A. Stump
R. G. Haire
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P. O. Box 200, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6375, rgh@ornl.gov
N. A. Stump
Affiliation:
Dept. Physical Sciences, Winston-Salem State University, 601 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Winston-Salem, NC27110
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Abstract

We have pursued some of the fundamental chemistry and materials science of americium in three glass matrices, two being high-temperature (850° and 1400°C melting points) silicate-based glasses and the third a sol-gel glass. Optical spectroscopy was the principal investigating tool in the studies. One aspect of this work was to determine the oxidation state exhibited by americium in these matrices, as well as factors that control and/or may alter this state. We have noted a correlation between the oxidation state of the f-elements in the two high-temperature glasses with their high-temperature oxide chemistries. One exception was americium: although americium dioxide is the stable oxide encountered in air, when this dioxide was incorporated into the high-temperature glasses, only trivalent americium was found in the products. When trivalent americium was used to prepare the sol-gel glasses at ambient temperature, and after these products were heated in air to 800°C, again only trivalent americium was observed. Potential explanations for the unexpected behavior of americium is offered in the context of its basic chemistry. Experimental spectra, spectroscopie assignments and other pertinent data obtained in the studies are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 465: Symposium II – Scienfific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XX , 1996 , 39
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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References

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