Investigation of radiation resistance of adsorbents using the 90Sr – source

Abstract

Purifying aqueous solutions from radioactive contamination is an extremely relevant scientific topic today. Many organic and inorganic adsorbents can be recommended for the adsorption of heavy metal ions and radionuclides from aqueous solutions, or as carriers for storage and disposal of radioactive waste. Since radionuclides are sources of ionizing radiation, the radiation resistance of the adsorbent is an important characteristic. These studies aim to investigate the titanium silicate behavior and its adsorption properties' changes or their invariability in the field of intense β-radiation. Experimental techniques describe the synthesis of titanium silicate adsorbent by sol-gel method and the study of its adsorption capacity toward Ba2+ cations. The adsorption of Ba2+ cations was investigated under batch conditions with neutral pH of the solution. Initial and residual concentrations of Ba2+ cations were controlled by direct complexometric titration with Na-EDTA with Eriochrom Black T as an indicator. The study of the radiation resistance of the adsorbent to high-energy β-radiation was performed using a 90Sr-90Y β- - source “Sirius” installed in the Microtron Laboratory of the Uzhhorod National University. The distance from the source to the adsorbent samples was 20 cm. The flux of electrons at this distance was 108 el/cm2‧per second. The maximum energy of beta particles was 0.456 MeV for 90Sr and 2.28 MeV for 90Y. The maximum duration of exposure was 21 days, which corresponds to 1310 Gy. Raman spectroscopy of irradiated and nonirradiated samples of TiSi was performed using a Raman spectrometer XploRA PLUS installed in the Center for Collective Use of Scientific Equipment “Laboratory of Experimental and Applied Physics” of Uzhhorod National University. Results consist of kinetic of Ba2+ adsorption by titanium silicate and irradiated titanium silicate; isotherm of Ba2+ adsorption and Raman spectrum of nonirradiated, irradiated titanium silicate (TiSi) and TiSi after Ba2+ adsorption. Results showed that the value of the maximal adsorption was 140.5±9.2 mg/g (6.55 %) under a confidence level of 95 %. The adsorption values of barium ions by irradiated and non-irradiated titanium silicate coincide. This indicates that the adsorption properties of this adsorbent do not change under the influence of such a radiation dose. The Raman spectra of irradiated and non-irradiated titanium silicate coincide, while they do not identify free radicals, or ionic formations, which would indicate a change in the properties of the adsorbent under the influence of beta radiation. It can be argued that this adsorbent is radiation-resistant to beta-radioactivity, with a radiation dose of 1310 Gy. The main conclusion of the present work is that the studied sample of titanium silicate is radiation-resistant. It can withstand a radiation dose of 1310 Gy without changing its adsorption properties. Titanium silicate can be used for the adsorption of strontium radionuclides, it can be a carrier for the disposal of radioactive waste.