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The synthesis, characterisation and crystal structure of a novel U5+ (dominant) brannerite of composition U1.09(6)Ti1.29(3)Al0.71(3)O6 is reported, as determined from Rietveld analysis of high resolution powder neutron diffraction data. Examination of the UTi2-xAlxO6 system demonstrated the formation of brannerite structured compounds with varying Al3+ and U5+ content, from U0.93(6)Ti1.64(3)Al0.36(3)O6 to U0.89(6)Ti1.00(3)Al1.00(3)O6. Substitution of Al3+for Ti4+, with U5+ charge compensation, resulted in near-linear changes in the b and c unit cell parameters and the overall unit cell volume, as expected from ionic radii considerations. The presence of U5+ as the dominant oxidation state in near single phase brannerite compositions was evidenced by complementary laboratory U L3 edge and high energy resolution fluorescence detected (HERFD) U M4 edge X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy. No brannerite phase was found for compositions with Al3+ / Ti4+ > 1, which would require U6+ contribution for charge compensation. These data expand the crystal chemistry of uranium brannerites to the stabilisation of dominant U5+ brannerites by substitution of trivalent cations, such as Al3+, on the Ti4+ site

Significance: Uranium (U) biogeochemical behavior is constrained by redox transformations. In anoxic environments, soluble hexavalent U is reduced and immobilized as tetravalent U. During abiotic U reduction, the formation of tetravalent U oxide (UO2) has been demonstrated and the persistence of an intermediate (pentavalent) valence state invoked. However, despite decades of study, there is little insight into the molecular mechanistic details of UO2 formation. Here, we show the formation of transient nanowires composed of randomly oriented UO2 nanoparticles followed by rearrangement into ordered UO2 nanoclusters. We also evidence the persistence of pentavalent U on the magnetite surface. These findings have implications for uranium isotopic fractionation, nuclear waste, and uranium remediation. Abstract: Uranium (U) is a ubiquitous element, present in the Earth’s crust at ~2 ppm. In anoxic environments, soluble hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) is reduced and immobilized. The underlying reduction mechanism is unknown but is likely of critical importance to explain variability in isotopic fractionation depending on the reducing agent and the chemical conditions. Here, we tackle the mechanism of reduction of U(VI) by the mixed-valence iron oxide, magnetite (Fe3O4). Through a combination of high-end spectroscopic and microscopic tools, we demonstrate that the reduction of U(VI) proceeds first through surface-associated U(VI) to form pentavalent U, U(V). U(V) persists on the surface of magnetite and is further reduced to tetravalent UO2 in the form of nanocrystals (~1-2 nm) arranged at random orientations in nanowires that extend hundreds of nanometers from the magnetite surface. Through re-orientation of the nanoparticles and their coalescence into larger nanoparticles, the nanowires collapse after several weeks to generate ordered UO2 nanoclusters. Thus, this work provides evidence for a transient U nanowire structure that may have implications for uranium isotope fractionation as well as for molecular-scale understanding of nuclear waste temporal evolution and the reductive remediation of uranium contamination.

Calcium molybdate (CaMoO₄ ) is a robust, inorganic material known for its favorable physicochemical properties making it ideal for a wide scope of applications concerning optics (i.e., phosphors, scintillators, laser hosts, etc.), nuclear waste encapsulation and disposal, corrosion inhibition, etc. Calcium molybdate occurs in nature as the mineral Powellite, and the compound adopts the scheelite (CaWO₄ ) structure-type with Mo fully oxidized in the +6-oxidation state. This Mo-containing ceramic phase exhibits limited insoluble in aqueous environments and relative thermal stability at elevated temperatures. In the laboratory, CaMoO₄ can be synthesized straightforward from the stoichiometric solid-state reaction MoO₃ with the respective calcium oxide or carbonate, e.g., CaO or CaCO₃, at elevated temperatures, or alternatively via co-precipitation, sol-gel, or mechanochemical methods. Depending on synthetic conditions, single phase nano-powders to monoliths can be generated and tailored for its successive application. Likewise, the scheelite structure type can incorporate different doping elements into the host lattice, such as Pb2+ or elements arising from the lanthanoid series, which are used for applications with phosphors. , , On the periodic table, Mo (Z = 42) is located on the 5th row within the transition metals and precedes the lightest, inherently radioactive element, technetium (Tc, Z = 43). Molybdenum is characterized by an assortment of naturally occurring isotopes (i.e., 92Mo 14.53%, 94Mo 9.16%, 95Mo 15.84%, 96Mo 16.67%, 97Mo 9.60%, 98Mo 24.39%, and 100Mo 9.82%) making it a suitable starting material for the transmutation to an array of different Tc isotopes depending on isotope enrichment, particle beam type (e.g., proton, deuteron, electron, neutron, photon, etc.), and beam energy. One of the most recognized Mo-Tc radionuclidic parent-daughter couples is 99Mo-99mTc, where the daughter isotope 99mTc has been notoriously branded as the workhorse of the nuclear diagnostic imaging industry used worldwide in 30 to 40 million procedures annually, i.e., ~ 9,000 6-day Ci at end of processing (EOP) per week. As the international geopolitical attitude towards using highly enriched uranium (HEU) for the production of 99Mo begins to shift, the use of non-fission sources for the production of 99mTc is becoming increasingly more vital, and new methods for production and separation are desperately being sought. For example, the United States of America currently has no domestic supply in place for the production of 99mTc, although it is responsible for half of the world’s usage. When considering both, the isotopic and physicochemical composition and properties of Mo and CaMoO₄, strong arguments can be made to pursue the better understanding of CaMoO₄ and its relationship as a host material for direct transmutation of Mo → Tc and / or post-processing integration of Tc, specifically 99mTc at the atomistic level to weight percentages in its fundamental structure for applications such as nuclear waste disposal and radiopharmaceuticals. In this work, the synthesis and irradiation of CaMoO₄ using a modular, fusion-based neutron source and its successive characterizations are reported. Further discussions are presented considering these empirical data and their context with potential applications in the realms of nuclear medicine and materials.

The fire performance of magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC) binders blended with fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) was investigated up to 1000°C using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and SEM techniques. The FA/MKPC and GBFS/MKPC binders dehydrate above 200°C to form amorphous KMgPO4, concurrent with volumetric and mass changes. Above 1000°C, additional crystalline phases were formed and microstructural changes occurred, although no cracking or spalling of the samples was observed. These results indicate that FA/MKPC and GBFS/MKPC binders are expected to have satisfactory fire performance under the fire scenario conditions relevant to the operation of a UK or other geological disposal facility.

The microporous material Ionsiv is used for 137Cs removal from aqueous nuclear waste streams. In the UK, Cs-loaded Ionsiv is classed as an intermediate-level waste; no sentencing and disposal route is yet defined for this material and it is currently held in safe interim storage on several nuclear sites. In this study, the suitability of fly ash and blast furnace slag blended cements for encapsulation of Cs-Ionsiv in a monolithic wasteform was investigated. No evidence of reaction or dissolution of the Cs-Ionsiv in the cementitious environment was found by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. However, a small fraction (