Electron beam irradiation effects in Trombay nuclear waste glass

Spectroscopic investigations were carried out on electron beam irradiated sodium barium borosilicate glasses, which is the base glass for immobilization of nuclear high level radioactive waste, generated from the research reactors at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay. This was done in order to access the defects generated in it under long term irradiation. Electron paramagnetic resonance was used to identify the defect centers generated in the borosilicate glass after irradiation. In addition, positron annihilation spectroscopy and infrared investigations were done on the samples to evaluate the radiation induced changes in the glass. It was found that, boron–oxygen and silicon based hole centers along with E′ centers are getting formed in the glass after irradiation due to the breaking of the SiO bonds at regular tetrahedron sites of SiOSi. The positron annihilation spectroscopy data gave an idea regarding the free volume size and fraction of the glasses before and after irradiation. It was seen that, after irradiation the free volume size in the glass increased with creation of additional sites. Microwave power variation and temperature variation studies suggested the formation of at least five different radicals in the irradiated glasses. The spin Hamiltonian parameter of all the radical species were determined by computer simulation. An electron paramagnetic resonance spin counting technique was employed to evaluate the defect concentration in the glasses after irradiation.

► Electron beam irradiated nuclear waste glasses were studied by EPR, positron annihilation spectroscopy and IR techniques.
► Formation of boron–oxygen and silicon based hole centers along with E′ centers were observed in the glass after irradiation.
► Increase in the free volume size and fraction was observed in the irradiated glasses.
► EPR spin counting technique was employed to evaluate the defect concentration in the glasses after irradiation.