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A novel solid-phase synthetic approach was developed to produce a mineral-like composite ceramic based on strontium titanate (SrTiO3) and yttrium titanate (Y2Ti2O7) matrices for immobilizing radionuclides such as 90Sr and its daughter product 90Y, as well as lanthanides and actinides, via reactive spark plasma sintering technology (SPS-RS). Using XRD, SEM, and EDS analyses, the sintering kinetics of the initial mixed oxide reactants of composition YxSr1–1.5xTiO3 (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 1) and structure-phase changes in the ceramics under SPS-RS conditions were investigated as a function of Y3+ content. In addition, a detailed study of phase transformation kinetics over time as a function of the heating temperature of the initial components (SrCO3, TiO2, and Y2O3) was conducted via in situ synchrotron XRD heating experiments. The composite ceramic achieved relatively high physicomechanical properties, including relative density between 4.92–4.64 g/cm3, Vickers microhardness of 500–800 HV, and compressive strength ranging from 95.5–272.4 MPa. An evaluation of hydrolytic stability and leaching rates of Sr2+ and Y3+ from the matrices was performed, demonstrating rates did not exceed 10−5–10−6 g·cm−2·day−1 in compliance with GOST R 50926-96 and ANSI/ANS 16.1 standards. The leaching mechanism of these components was studied, including the calculation of solution penetration depth in the ceramic bulk and ion diffusion coefficients in the solution. These findings show great promise for radioactive waste conditioning technologies and the manufacturing of radioisotope products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a reliable technology combining sol–gel synthesis and spark plasma sintering (SPS) to obtain SrTiO3 perovskite-type ceramics with excellent physicomechanical properties and hydrolytic stability for the long-term retention of radioactive strontium radionuclides. The Pechini sol–gel method was used to synthesize SrTiO3 powder from Sr(NO3)2 and TiCl3 (15%) precursors. Ceramic matrix samples were fabricated by SPS in the temperature range of 900–1200 °C. The perovskite structure of the synthesized initial SrTiO3 powder was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis results. Scanning electron microscopy revealed agglomeration of the nanoparticles and a pronounced tendency for densification in the sintered compact with increasing sintering temperature. Chemical homogeneity of ceramics was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Physicochemical characteristic studies included density measurement results (3.11–4.80 g·cm−3), dilatometric dependencies, Vickers microhardness (20–900 HV), and hydrolytic stability (10−6–10−7 g·cm−2·day−2), exceeding GOST R 50926-96 and ISO 6961:1982 requirements for solid-state matrices. Ceramic sintered at 1200 °C demonstrated the lowest strontium leaching rate of 10−7 g/cm2·day, optimal for radioactive waste (RAW) isolation. The proposed approach can be used to fabricate mineral-like forms suitable for RAW handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a method for the fabrication of mineral-like SrMoO4 ceramics with a powellite structure, which is promising for the immobilization of the high-energy 90Sr radioisotope. The reported method is based on the solid-phase "in situ" interaction between SrO and MoO3 oxides initiated under spark plasma sintering (SPS) conditions. Dilatometry, XRD, SEM, and EDX methods were used to investigate the consolidation dynamics, phase formation, and structural changes in the reactive powder blend and sintered ceramics. The temperature conditions for SrMoO4 formation under SPS were determined, yielding ceramics with a relative density of 84.0–96.3%, Vickers microhardness of 157–295 HV, and compressive strength of 54–331 MPa. Ceramic samples demonstrate a low Sr leaching rate of 10−6 g/cm2·day, indicating a rather high hydrolytic stability and meeting the requirements of GOST R 50926-96 imposed on solid radioactive wastes. The results presented here show a wide range of prospects for the application of ceramic matrixes with the mineral-like composition studied here to radioactive waste processing and radioisotope manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an original approach to the synthesis of polycalciumorganyl silsesquioxanes through the reaction of polyorganyl silsesquioxanes [RSiO1.5]n (where R is an ethyl and phenyl radical) with sea urchin skeleton under the conditions of mechanochemical activation. The novelty and practical significance of the present study lies in the use of an available natural raw source as a source of calcium ions to initiate the reaction of calcium silicate formation and create a matrix for the formation of a porous inorganic composite framework. The thermal stability of the introduced silicates, i.e., the ability to maintain a porous structure at high temperatures, is key to the production of an ordered porous material. The reaction scheme was proposed to be based on the interaction of calcium carbonate with the siloxane bond. FTIR, XRD, GPC, and TGA were used to study the composition and structure of the obtained materials. The cross-sectional area of the polymer chain and the volumes of the coherent scattering regions of the polymers obtained were calculated from the XRD data. To prepare the composites, the sea urchin skeleton was further modified with polycalciumorganyl silsesquioxanes in a toluene solution. To remove the sea urchin skeleton, the obtained biomimetic composites were treated with hydrochloric acid. The results of the morphological and surface composition studies are reported. The method proposed in the paper could be of fundamental importance for the possibility of obtaining structured porous composite materials for a wide range of practical applications, including for the purpose of creating a composite that may be a promising carrier for targeted delivery of chemotherapy agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructive and regenerative bone surgery is based on the use of high-tech biocompatible implants needed to restore the functions of the musculoskeletal system of patients. Ti6Al4V is one of the most widely used titanium alloys for a variety of applications where low density and excellent corrosion resistance are required, including biomechanical applications (implants and prostheses). Calcium silicate or wollastonite (CaSiO3) and calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a bioceramic material used in biomedicine due to its bioactive properties, which can potentially be used for bone repair. In this regard, the research investigates the possibility of using spark plasma sintering technology to obtain new CaSiO3-HAp biocomposite ceramics reinforced with a Ti6Al4V titanium alloy matrix obtained by additive manufacturing. The phase and elemental compositions, structure, and morphology of the initial CaSiO3-HAp powder and its ceramic metal biocomposite were studied by X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis methods. The spark plasma sintering technology was shown to be efficient for the consolidation of CaSiO3-HAp powder in volume with a Ti6Al4V reinforcing matrix to obtain a ceramic metal biocomposite of an integral form. Vickers microhardness values were determined for the alloy and bioceramics (~500 and 560 HV, respectively), as well as for their interface area (~640 HV). An assessment of the critical stress intensity factor KIc (crack resistance) was performed. The research result is new and represents a prospect for the creation of high-tech implant products for regenerative bone surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studied the effect of additives of 0.5–20 wt.% synthetic CaSiO3 wollastonite on the thermodynamic, mechanical, and tribological characteristics and structure of polymer composite materials (PCM) based on ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Using thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscope, and laser light diffraction methods, it was shown that autoclave synthesis in the multicomponent system CaSO4·2H2O–SiO2·nH2O–KOH–H2O allows one to obtain neeindle-shaped nanosized CaSiO3 particles. It was shown that synthetic wollastonite is an effective filler of UHMWPE, which can significantly increase the deformation-strength and tribological characteristics of PCM. The active participation of wollastonite in tribochemical reactions occurring during friction of PCM by infrared spectroscopy was detected: new peaks related to oxygen-containing functional groups (hydroxyl and carbonyl) appeared. The developed UHMWPE/CaSiO3 materials have high wear resistance and can be used as triboengineering materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]