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We have developed a specialized microfluidic electrochemical cell that enables in situ investigation of the electrochemical corrosion of microgram quantities of redox active solids. The advantage of downscaling is the reduction of hazards, waste, expense, and greatly expanding data collection for hazardous materials, including radioactive samples. Cyclic voltammetry was used to monitor the oxidation-reduction cycle of minute quantities of micron-size uraninite (UO 2 ) particles, from the formation of hexavalent uranium (U(vi)), U 3 O 7 and reduction to UO 2+ x . Reaction progress was also studied in situ with scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical measurements matched those obtained at the bulk-scale and were consistent with ex situ characterization of the run products by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy; thus, demonstrating the utility of the microfluidic approach for studying radioactive materials., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

We developed a new approach to attach particles onto a conductive layer as a working electrode (WE) in a microfluidic electrochemical cell with three electrodes. Nafion, an efficient proton transfer molecule, is used to form a thin protection layer to secure particle electrodes. Spin coating is used to develop a thin and even layer of Nafion membrane. The effects of Nafion (5 wt% 20 wt%) and spinning rates were evaluated using multiple sets of replicates. The electrochemical performance of various devices was demonstrated. Additionally, the electrochemical performance of the devices is used to select and optimize fabrication conditions. The results show that a higher spinning rate and a lower Nafion concentration (5 wt%) induce a better performance, using cerium oxide (CeO 2 ) particles as a testing model. The WE surfaces were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy-focused ion beam (SEM-FIB), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The comparison between the pristine and corroded WE surfaces shows that Nafion is redistributed after potential is applied. Our results verify that Nafion membrane offers a reliable means to secure particles onto electrodes. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance is reliable and reproducible. Thus, this approach provides a new way to study more complex and challenging particles, such as uranium oxide, in the future.

Electrochemical analysis is an efficient way to study various materials. However, nanoparticles are challenging due to the difficulty in fabricating a uniform electrode containing nanoparticles. We developed novel approaches to incorporate nanoparticles as a working electrode (WE) in a three-electrode microfluidic electrochemical cell. Specifically, conductive epoxy was used as a medium for direct application of nanoparticles onto the electrode surface. Three approaches in this work were illustrated, including sequence stamping, mix stamping, and droplet stamping. Shadow masking was used to form the conductive structure in the WE surface on a thin silicon nitride (SiN) membrane. Two types of nanomaterials, namely cerium oxide (CeO 2 ) and graphite, were chosen as representative nanoparticles. The as-fabricated electrodes with attached particles were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Electrochemical analysis was performed to verify the feasibility of these nanoparticles as electrodes. Nanomaterials can be quickly assessed for their electrochemical properties using these new electrode fabrication methods in a microfluidic cell, offering a passport for rapid nanomaterial electrochemical analysis in the future.

The sequestration of metal ions into the crystal structure of minerals is common in nature. To date, the incorporation of technetium(IV) into iron minerals has been studied predominantly for systems under carefully controlled anaerobic conditions. Mechanisms of the transformation of iron phases leading to incorporation of technetium(IV) under aerobic conditions remain poorly understood. Here we investigate granular metallic iron for reductive sequestration of technetium(VII) at elevated concentrations under ambient conditions. We report the retarded transformation of ferrihydrite to magnetite in the presence of technetium. We observe that quantitative reduction of pertechnetate with a fraction of technetium(IV) structurally incorporated into non-stoichiometric magnetite benefits from concomitant zero valent iron oxidative transformation. An in-depth profile of iron oxide reveals clusters of the incorporated technetium(IV), which account for 32% of the total retained technetium estimated via X-ray absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. This corresponds to 1.86 wt.% technetium in magnetite, providing the experimental evidence to theoretical postulations on thermodynamically stable technetium(IV) being incorporated into magnetite under spontaneous aerobic redox conditions., (© 2020. The Author(s).)

Oxygen defects govern the behavior of a range of materials spanning catalysis, quantum computing, and nuclear energy. Understanding and controlling these defects is particularly important for the safe use, storage, and disposal of actinide oxides in the nuclear fuel cycle, since their oxidation state influences fuel lifetimes, stability, and the contamination of groundwater. However, poorly understood nanoscale fluctuations in these systems can lead to significant deviations from bulk oxidation behavior. Here we describe the use of aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy to resolve changes in the local oxygen defect environment in [Formula: see text] surfaces. We observe large image contrast and spectral changes that reflect the presence of sizable gradients in interstitial oxygen content at the nanoscale, which we quantify through first-principles calculations and image simulations. These findings reveal an unprecedented level of excess oxygen incorporated in a complex near-surface spatial distribution, offering additional insight into defect formation pathways and kinetics during [Formula: see text] surface oxidation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2019 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.)

Zircaloy-4 (Zr-4) based liners and getters are the principle functional components of Tritium-Producing Burnable Absorber Rods (TPBARs) in light water nuclear reactors where they reduce tritiated water into tritium gas. Upon tritium exposure, zirconium tritide is formed, which changes the chemical composition, structure and morphology of these materials. Their thermodynamic properties are affected by (i) the hydride phase identity, (ii) radial and spatial tritide/hydride (T/H) distribution, and (iii) the changes in structure and morphology of the material upon T/H-migration, and their comprehensive knowledge is needed to predict performance of these materials. This work demonstrates that controlled potential electrochemistry techniques to be highly efficient for controlled oxidative radial dissolution of Zr-4 based liners (both unloaded and loaded with hydride/deuteride as chemical surrogates for tritium). The electrodissolution is further combined with microscopic techniques to accurately determine the distribution of hydride phases. This work demonstrates a reliable technique for radially etching the liners after irradiation to provide insight into the radial and spatial distribution of tritium within the TPBAR, improving the fundamental understanding of tritium transport and providing a basis for validating predictive models., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A simple, repeatable method for determination of the degree of grain refinement in irradiated Uranium-Molybdenum fuels has been developed. This method involves mechanical potting and polishing of samples along with examination using a scanning electron microscope located outside of a hot cell. The commercially available software package Mathematica was used to determine the degree of grain refinement by way of a built-in iterative active contour method of image segmentation. Baseline methods for degree of grain refinement assessment are suggested for consideration and further development.

During electron microscopy observations of uranium-bearing phases and solutions in a liquid cell, the electron beam induced radiolysis causes changes in the chemistry of the system. This could be useful for investigating accelerated alteration of UO 2 and can be also used to monitor radiolytic effects. Low concentrations of bromide in aqueous solutions are known to reduce the generation rate of H 2 O 2 during radiolysis and increase H 2 production. We deduced the presence of radiolytic H 2 O 2 by monitoring the formation of a uranyl peroxide solid from both solid UO 2 and a solution of ammonium uranyl carbonate at neutral pH. Additionally, the effect of bromine on water radiolysis was investigated through chemical modelling and in situ electron microscopy. By measuring the contrast in the electron microscopy images it was possible to monitor H 2 O 2 formation and diffusion from the irradiated zone in agreement with the models., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Layered (oxy) hydroxide minerals often possess out-of-plane hydrogen atoms that form hydrogen bonding networks which stabilize the layered structure. However, less is known about how the ordering of these bonds affects the structural stability and solubility of these minerals. Here, we report a new strategy that uses the focused electron beam to probe the effect of differences in hydrogen bonding networks on mineral solubility. In this regard, the dissolution behavior of boehmite (γ-AlOOH) and gibbsite (γ-Al(OH)3) were compared and contrasted in real time via liquid cell electron microscopy. Under identical such conditions, 2D-nanosheets of boehmite (γ-AlOOH) exfoliated from the bulk and then rapidly dissolved, whereas gibbsite was stable. Further, substitution of only 1% Fe(III) for Al(III) in the structure of boehmite inhibited delamination and dissolution. Factors such as pH, radiolytic species, and knock on damage were systematically studied and eliminated as proximal causes for boehmite dissolution. Instead, the creation of electron/hole pairs was considered to be the mechanism that drove dissolution. The widely disparate behaviors of boehmite, gibbsite, and Fe-doped boehmite are discussed in the context of differences in the OH bond strengths, hydrogen bonding networks, and the presence or absence of electron/hole recombination centers.

Chemical stabilization of tank residual waste is part of a Hanford Site tank closure strategy to reduce overall risk levels to human health and the environment. In this study, a set of column leaching experiments using tank C-104 residual waste were conducted to evaluate the leachability of uranium (U) and technetium (Tc) where grout and hydrated lime were applied as chemical stabilizing agents. The experiments were designed to simulate future scenarios where meteoric water infiltrates through the vadose zones into the interior of the tank filled with layers of grout or hydrated lime, and then contacts the residual waste. Effluent concentrations of U and Tc were monitored and compared among three different packing columns (waste only, waste + grout, and waste + grout + hydrated lime). Geochemical modeling of the effluent compositions was conducted to determine saturation indices of uranium solid phases that could control the solubility of uranium. The results indicate that addition of hydrated lime strongly stabilized the uranium through transforming uranium to a highly insoluble calcium uranate (CaUO 4 ) or similar phase, whereas no significant stabilization effect of grout or hydrated lime was observed on Tc leachability. The result implies that hydrated lime could be a great candidate for stabilizing Hanford tank residual wastes where uranium is one of the main concerns., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Uranyl nitrate is a key species in the nuclear fuel cycle. However, this species is known to exist in different states of hydration, including the hexahydrate ([UO2(NO3)2(H2O)6] often called UNH), the trihydrate [UO2(NO3)2(H2O)3 or UNT], and in very dry environments the dihydrate form [UO2(NO3)2(H2O)2]. Their relative stabilities depend on both water vapor pressure and temperature. In the 1950s and 1960s, the different phases were studied by infrared transmission spectroscopy but were limited both by instrumental resolution and by the ability to prepare the samples for transmission. We have revisited this problem using time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy, which requires no sample preparation and allows dynamic analysis while the sample is exposed to a flow of N2 gas. Samples of known hydration state were prepared and confirmed via X-ray diffraction patterns of known species. In reflectance mode the hexahydrate UO2(NO3)2(H2O)6 has a distinct uranyl asymmetric stretch band at 949.0 cm(-1) that shifts to shorter wavelengths and broadens as the sample desiccates and recrystallizes to the trihydrate, first as a shoulder growing in on the blue edge but ultimately results in a doublet band with reflectance peaks at 966 and 957 cm(-1). The data are consistent with transformation from UNH to UNT as UNT has two inequivalent UO2(2+) sites. The dehydration of UO2(NO3)2(H2O)6 to UO2(NO3)2(H2O)3 is both a structural and morphological change that has the lustrous lime green UO2(NO3)2(H2O)6 crystals changing to the matte greenish yellow of the trihydrate solid. The phase transformation and crystal structures were confirmed by density functional theory calculations and optical microscopy methods, both of which showed a transformation with two distinct sites for the uranyl cation in the trihydrate, with only one in the hexahydrate.

We report on a subtle global feature of the mass action kinetics equations for water radiolysis that results in predictions of a critical behavior in H2O2 and associated radical concentrations. While radiolysis kinetics have been studied extensively in the past, it is only in recent years that high-speed computing has allowed the rapid exploration of the solution over widely varying dose and compositional conditions. We explore the radiolytic production of H2O2 under various externally fixed conditions of molecular H2 and O2 that have been regarded as problematic in the literature-specifically, "jumps" in predicted concentrations, and inconsistencies between predictions and experiments have been reported for α radiolysis. We computationally map-out a critical concentration behavior for α radiolysis kinetics using a comprehensive set of reactions. We then show that all features of interest are accurately reproduced with 15 reactions. An analytical solution for steady-state concentrations of the 15 reactions reveals regions in [H2] and [O2] where the H2O2 concentration is not unique-both stable and unstable concentrations exist. The boundary of this region can be characterized analytically as a function of G-values and rate constants independent of dose rate. Physically, the boundary can be understood as separating a region where a steady-state H2O2 concentration exists from one where it does not exist without a direct decomposition reaction. We show that this behavior is consistent with reported α radiolysis data and that no such behavior should occur for γ radiolysis. We suggest experiments that could verify or discredit a critical concentration behavior for α radiolysis and could place more restrictive ranges on G-values from derived relationships between them.

Microbe-mineral and -metal interactions represent a major intersection between the biosphere and geosphere but require high-resolution imaging and analytical tools for investigation of microscale associations. Electron microscopy has been used extensively for geomicrobial investigations, and although used bona fide, the traditional methods of sample preparation do not preserve the native morphology of microbiological components, especially extracellular polymers. Herein, we present a direct comparative analysis of microbial interactions by conventional electron microscopy approaches with imaging at room temperature and a suite of cryogenic electron microscopy methods providing imaging in the close-to-natural hydrated state. In situ, we observed an irreversible transformation of the hydrated bacterial extracellular polymers during the traditional dehydration-based sample preparation that resulted in their collapse into filamentous structures. Dehydration-induced polymer collapse can lead to inaccurate spatial relationships and hence could subsequently affect conclusions regarding the nature of interactions between microbial extracellular polymers and their environment.