The preperation and examination of the high temperature oxidation of air sensitive materials: studying materials for the sequestration of nuclear waste

由于环境问题，以化石燃料为基础的发电机逐渐被淘汰，核能再次成为一个重要的替代能源。虽然核反应堆产生的电力被认为是“清洁的”，但它会产生危险的放射性废物。加拿大提供了世界上25%的铀（产值25亿美元），其中大部分用于核电设施。为了提高加拿大在美国市场的地位，开发用于储存核废料的材料是很重要的。Grosvenor小组发起的这项研究计划的长期目标是开发能够在结构中隔离U并抵抗辐射引起的结构损伤的有序化合物。为了启动这项研究，将首先检查代表宿主材料的模型化合物，以便清楚地了解晶体结构，组成，成键，电子结构和表面对铀等锕系元素的隔离反应性之间的关系。特别感兴趣的是在各种条件下检查可能的宿主材料的高温氧化。该RTI拨款的一部分将用于购买一个高温管式炉，用于氧化具有锆石（ASiO4; a =Zr, Hf）和方钨矿(REM4Pn12；稀土(RE)=La, Ce, Eu, Gd；M = Fe, Co；Pn (pnictide)=P, As, Sb, Bi)结构。管式炉将能够在较长时间内将材料加热到高达1700摄氏度的温度，并允许在受控环境中进行实验。利用同步辐射，利用x射线衍射、x射线光电子能谱和x射线吸收能谱对合成材料的电子结构和氧化行为进行研究。用于生产待研究材料的稀土、锕系元素和锕系元素对空气敏感。为了生产纯净的材料，最好在手套箱中操作和储存这些元素。此外，出于安全考虑，在可在正压或负压下操作的手套箱中操作放射性物质是优选的。用RTI拨款购买的物品是推动这项研究计划向前发展所必需的。

With fossil fuel based power generators being phased out because of environmental concerns, nuclear energy is once again a serious alternative. Although the power generated by nuclear reactors is considered "clean", hazardous radioactive waste is produced. Canada supplies >25% of the worlds' uranium (U) supply (production value > $2.5 billion), with much of it destined for nuclear power facilities. To increase Canada's position in the U market, it is important to develop materials for use in the storage of nuclear waste. The long-term goal of the research program initiated by the Grosvenor group is the development of ordered compounds that can sequester U in the structure and resist radiation induced structure damage. To initiate this research, model compounds representing host materials will be examined first in order to gain a clear understanding of the relationship between crystal structure, composition, bonding, electronic structure, and surface reactivity to the sequestration of actinides like U. Of particular interest is the examination of the high temperature oxidation of possible host materials under various conditions. Part of this RTI grant will be used to purchase a high temperature tube furnace to oxidize materials having the zircon (ASiO4; A=Zr, Hf), and skutterudite (REM4Pn12; rare-earth (RE)=La, Ce, Eu, Gd; M = Fe, Co; Pn (pnictide)=P, As, Sb, Bi) structures. The tube furnace will be able to heat materials to temperatures as high as 1700C for extended periods of time and will allow for the experiments to be performed in a controlled environment. The electronic structure and oxidation behaviour of the materials to be synthesized will be investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, utilizing synchrotron radiation. The rare-earths, pnictides, and actinides used to produce the materials to be studied are air sensitive. To produce pure materials, it is best to manipulate and store these elements in a glovebox. Further, for safety reasons, manipulation of radioactive materials in a glovebox that can operate under either a positive or negative pressure is preferred. The items to be purchased with this RTI grant are needed to propel this research program forward.