A review of fission product sorption in carbon structures

This paper presents a review of results in the area of fission product sorption in carbon structures. Emphasis is placed on identifying those parameters of carbon-based materials that likely play a dominant role in fission product sorption and the extent to which these parameters have been studied. In particular, we discuss published studies of the effects of atomic structure, sp2 to sp3 bonding ratio, coke content, defect structures, irradiation level, and percent of amorphous structures and porosity. Furthermore, the evolution of theories and models for carbon sorption are summarized. A review of the literature available to the authors reveals that the mechanics governing fission product sorptivity remain to be fully understood.

► A literature review of fission product sorption in nuclear carbon is presented. ► The parameters that govern fission product sorption on nuclear carbon materials are discussed. ► Carbon surface area, graphitization and defect presence directly influence fission product sorption. ► Available experimental sorption isotherms for Cs and Sr sorption in nuclear carbon are summarized.