Borosilicate and aluminosilicate pollucite nanocrystals for the storage of radionuclides

Cesium can be encapsulated in crystalline aluminosilicates or borosilicates of ANA framework type by hydrothermal synthesis from alkaline solutions at a temperature as low as 115 °C. No miscibility gap is observed in the borosilicate–aluminosilicate solid solution. The presence of cesium in the synthesis batch slightly decreases the yield of incorporation of boron in the silicate framework. Nanocrystals from 25 to 50 nm are formed in most of the synthesis conditions.

Graphical abstractCesium can be encapsulated in crystalline aluminosilicates or borosilicates of analcime framework type by hydrothermal synthesis from alkaline solutions at temperature as low as 115 °C. The borosilicate-aluminosilicate solid solution covers the whole field pf composition. Nanocrystals from 25 to 50 nm are formed in most of the synthesis conditions and are potentially suitable for effective sintering.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide