XAFS investigation of the structure of aqueous thorium(IV) species, colloids, and solid thorium(IV) oxide/hydroxide

Discrepancies in thorium oxide solubility values: study of attachment/detachment processes at the solid/solution interface

The solubility of thorium under oxide and/or hydroxide forms has been extensively studied for many years. Nevertheless, a large discrepancy in the solubility values is noticed in the literature. We study Th atom exchange between thorium oxide surfaces and various aqueous solutions (0.01 mol·L(-1) NaCl for 0.0 < pH < 5.2) to address this issue. By solid-state characterization [X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy], we determined that 80% of the XPS accessible near the surface region of sintered thorium oxide is represented by the less reactive ThO(2)(cr) grains. The remaining 20% corresponds to ThO(x)(OH)(y)(H(2)O)(z), which is largely associated with grain boundaries. Only the latter fraction is involved in solid/solution exchange mechanisms. Local conditions (thorium concentrations, pH values, etc.) in grain boundaries lead to an adjustment of the "local solubility constraints" and explain the thorium concentration measured in our experiments. For pH <5.2, the thorium concentration and pH gradient between the bulk solution and grain-boundary regions imply that the solubility values mainly depend on the availability and accessibility of ThO(x)(OH)(y)(H(2)O)(z). We have performed two solubility experiments with a (232)ThO(2)(cr) solid in a 0.01 mol·L(-1) NaCl solution for 300 days. In a first experiment, we measured (232)Th concentrations in dissolution experiments in order to determine the detachment rates of Th atoms from the solid surface. In a subsequent step, we added (229)Th to the solution in order to measure the surface attachment rate for dissolved Th atoms. This allowed an assessment of the net balance of Th atom exchange at the solid/solution interface. The empirical solubility data do not correspond to the thermodynamic bulk phase/solution equilibrium because measured solution concentrations are controlled by site-specific exchange mechanisms at the solid/solution interface. Therefore, for sparingly soluble solids, one needs to quantify site-specific surface attachment and detachment rates if one wants to assess solubility constraints.

Solubility of amorphous Th(IV) hydroxide – application of LIBD to determine the solubility product and EXAFS for aqueous speciation

The solubility of amorphous Th(IV) hydroxide at pH 3.0–13.5 and the aqueous speciation at pH < 4 are investigated in 0.5 M NaCl and 25 °C. The laser-induced breakdown detection (LIBD) is used to monitor the initial formation of thorium hydroxide colloids during the coulometric titration of 1.2×10−2−1.0×10−5M thorium solutions in the pH range of 2.7–4.5. The accurate solubility limit determined by this method is comparable with data measured from undersaturation with an X-ray amorphous solid precipitated at higher pH and dried at room temperature. Based on hydrolysis constants selected from the literature, the solubility product of Th(OH)4(am) in 0.5 M NaCl is calculated to be log K′sp= −44.48 ± 0.24 and log K°sp= −47.8 ± 0.3 (converted toI=0 with the SIT coefficients of the NEA-TDB).

In other solubility studies with amorphous Th(IV) hydroxide or hydrous oxide, considerably higher thorium concentrations are measured at pH 3.5–5. Therefore, solutions of comparable H+and thorium concentrations are prepared by careful coulometric titration and examined by ultrafiltration, LIBD and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. These measurements demonstrate the presence of a large amount of small Th(IV) colloids. The ThL3edge EXAFS spectra of these colloidal suspensions are similar to that of the amorphous solid.

Formation and hydrolysis of polynuclear Th(IV) complexes – a nano-electrospray mass-spectrometry study

Polynuclear hydroxide complexes play an important role for the hydrolysis of tetravalent thorium ions in aqueous solution, in particular for Th(IV) concentrations exceeding some [Th(IV)]=10−4 M. Consequently, these polymers must be considered when describing hydrolysis of Th(IV) or dissolution processes of Th(IV) solids. In the past, considerable efforts were made to obtain equilibrium formation constants of these polymers and different stoichiometries for dimers, tetramers and hexamers have been suggested. However, most information was obtained from indirect methods, in particular, from potentiometric titrations. In the present work, we present an approach of directly quantifying polymeric metal hydroxide complexes in solution. By nano-electrospray mass-spectrometry the degrees of polymerization, i.e. the numbers of Th4+ ions and the numbers of hydroxide ligands, and as a consequence, also the charges of the complexes are measured. All mono- and polynuclear species which are present in solution are quantified simultaneously down to species contributing less than 0.1% of the total [Th(IV)] concentration. Solutions of [Th(IV)]=6×10−6–10−1 M are investigated in HCl at [H+]=10−4–0.1 M. More than 30 different polymeric complexes are observed with the general trend of increasing number of hydroxide ligands with decreasing acidity. A surprising finding is the presence of the pentamer Th5(OH)y z +, which was not described in the literature before. With decreasing Th(IV) concentration the stability field of polymers narrows continuously until polymers can no longer be detected below [Th(IV)]=10−5 M.

The redox behaviour of plutonium in humic rich groundwater

Experiments with different oxidation states of Pu in GoHy-532 groundwater under reducing conditions reveal that Pu(VI) and Pu(V) are reduced rapidly to Pu(IV) at pH 7. The half-life of the redox reactions Pu(VI)/(V) and Pu(V)/(IV) are in the range of minutes. The rates of both reduction reactions decrease with decreasing pH values. A portion of the Pu(IV) is not stable in the same groundwater and is reduced slowly to Pu(III) in the range of weeks. Ultrafiltration experiments show Pu to be totally bound to the humic substances in the groundwater. At Pu concentrations of 10-5to 10-4M, most of the Pu occurs as a Pu-colloid and/or Pu-colloid bound to humic substances (Pu-colloid-HS) in solution, which is indicated by EXAFS/XANES and XPS measurements.

Solubility and colloid formation of Th(IV) in concentrated NaCl and MgCl2solution

The solubility of crystalline ThO2(cr) and amorphous hydrated Th(IV) oxyhydroxide ThOn(OH)4-2n·xH2O(am) has been measured in dilute to concentrated NaCl and MgCl2solutions equilibrated with magnesium hydroxide or hydroxychloride at 22±2 °C. The contributions of colloids to the total thorium concentrations observed in both over- and undersaturation experiments with amorphous Th(IV) precipitates have been analysed by ultracentrifugation. The solubility increasing effect of long-time stable Th(IV) eigencolloids, previously investigated in 0.5 M NaCl solutions, is also observed in concentrated 5 M NaCl. Ionic strength and chloride concentration have no effect on the stability of these hydrophilic Th(IV) oxyhydroxide eigencolloids, which are the predominant species in solution. They cause relatively high total thorium concentration in neutral to alkaline steady state solutions, independent of ionic strength: log[Th]tot≈log[Th]coll=-6.3±0.5. In concentrated MgCl2solutions saturated with magnesium hydroxychloride colloids, the formation of pseudocolloids,i.e., Th(IV) sorbed onto Mg2(OH)3Cl·4H2O(coll), leads to a further increase of the total thorium concentration up to 10-5M. The present results are discussed with regard to maximum Th(IV) and Pu(IV) concentrations in performance assessment calculations.

Solubility of crystalline thorium dioxide

The solubility of thorium oxides of different crystallinity is investigated at 25°C by different experimental approaches. The dissolution of bulk crystalline ThO2(cr) is a very slow process and the Th(IV) concentrations measured after one year at pH 1-3 in 0.1 and 0.5M HCl-NaCl solutions do not represent equilibrium data. Coulometric titration of thorium nitrate solutions in the low pH range of 1.5-2.5 leads to the formation of microcrystalline ThO2·xH2O(mcr) particles which subsequently agglomerate to a precipitate. The solubility of this solid, in equilibrium with Th4+(aq), is measured from the oversaturation direction. The solubility product is determined to be log K´sp=-49.9±0.4 in 0.5M NaCl corresponding to log K°sp=-53.2±0.4 (converted to I=0 with the SIT). It is close to the thermochemical value for ThO2(cr) and about 6 orders of magnitude lower than that of X-ray amorphous Th(IV) hydroxide or hydrous oxide. The differences in the solubility products are discussed with regard to the particle size and compared with analogous data for U(IV), Np(IV) and Pu(IV).

Above the threshold of hydrolysis of Th4+ at pH>2.5, the dissolution of microcrystalline ThO2·xH2O(mcr) is found to be irreversible. In near-neutral to alkaline solutions, the measured thorium concentrations approach those of amorphous Th(OH)4(am). Similar results are obtained with crystalline ThO2(cr) in 0.5M NaCl-NaOH solutions. The solubility is not controlled by the bulk crystalline solid but by amorphous fractions on the surface.

Sorption of Th(IV) onto iron corrosion products: EXAFS study

Long-term performance assessment of nuclear waste repositories is affected by the ability of the outer barrier systems to retain radionuclides after possible corrosive leakage of waste containers. The mobility of the radionuclides released from the spent fuel depends strongly on the processes that take place in the backfill material. The interaction of steel corrosion products and radionuclides is part of such a scenario. In this work, the sorption of Th(IV) onto 2-line-ferrihydrite (FeOOH x H2O) and magnetite (Fe3O4), used as models for steel corrosion products, has been studied using EXAFS spectroscopy. Sorption samples were prepared in 0.1 M NaClO4 solutions at acidic pH (initial pH values in the range 3.0-4.2) either from undersaturation and supersaturation conditions with respect to amorphous ThO2. Two oxygen subshells, one at 2.37 A and another at 2.54 A, were observed in the first hydration sphere of Th in the case of the ferrihydrite samples. Th-Fe distances for the different ferrihydrite samples are approximately 3.60 A. These results indicate a corner sharing surface complex of Th(IV) ion onto the ferrihydrite surface where the Th atom shares one O atom with each of two coordinated octahedra. The longer Th-O distance accounts for coordinated water molecules. No significant changes in the structural environment of Th in terms of coordination numbers and distances were detected as a function of Th(IV) concentration. Magnetite samples sorbing Th(IV) also showed also a strong distortion of the O shell, but in contrast to ferrihydrite, two types of nearest Fe atoms were detected at 3.50 A and 3.70 A. These results indicate that Th(IV) ion sorbs onto the magnetite surface as bidentate-corner sharing arrangements to [FeO6] octahedra and [FeO4] tetrahedra.

EXAFS Study of Aqueous ZrIV and ThIV Complexes in Alkaline CaCl2 Solutions: Ca3[Zr(OH)6]4+ and Ca4[Th(OH)8]4+

A hitherto unknown type of aqueous complex, ternary Ca-MIV-OH complexes (M = Zr and Th), causes unexpectedly high solubilities of zirconium(IV) and thorium(IV) hydrous oxides in alkaline CaCl2 solutions (pHc = 10-12, [CaCl2] > 0.05 mol.L(-1), and pHc = 11-12, [CaCl2] > 0.5 mol.L(-1), respectively). The dominant aqueous species are identified as Ca3[Zr(OH)6]4+ and Ca4[Th(OH)8]4+ and characterized by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The number of OH- ligands in the first coordination sphere detected by EXAFS, NO = 6 (6.6 +/- 1.2) for Zr and NO = 8 (8.6 +/- 1.2) for Th, are consistent with the observed slopes of 2 and 4 in the solubility curves log [M]tot vs pHc. The presence of polynuclear hydrolysis species and the formation of chloride complexes can be excluded. EXAFS spectra clearly show a second coordination shell of calcium ions. The [Zr(OH)6]2- and [Th(OH)8]4- complexes with an unusually large number of OH- ligands are stabilized by the formation of associates or ion pairs with Ca2+ ions. The number of neighboring Ca2+ ions around the [Zr(OH)6]2- and [Th(OH)8]4- units is determined to be NCa = 3 (2.7 +/- 0.6) at a distance of RZr-Ca = 3.38 +/- 0.02 A and NCa = 4 (3.8 +/- 0.5) at a distance of RTh-Ca = 3.98 +/- 0.02 A. The Ca3[Zr(OH)6]4+ and Ca4[Th(OH)8]4+ complexes have first (M-O) and second (M-Ca) coordination spheres with the Ca2+ ions bound to coordination polyhedra edges.

EXAFS Investigation of U(VI), U(IV), and Th(IV) Sulfato Complexes in Aqueous Solution

The local structure of U(VI), U(IV), and Th(IV) sulfato complexes in aqueous solution was investigated by U-L(3) and Th-L(3) EXAFS spectroscopy for total sulfate concentrations 0.05 < or = [SO(4)(2-)] < or = 3 M and 1.0 < or = pH < or = 2.6. The sulfate coordination was derived from U-S and Th-S distances and coordination numbers. The spectroscopic results were combined with thermodynamic speciation and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In equimolar [SO(4)(2-)]/[UO(2)(2+)] solution, a U-S distance of 3.57 +/- 0.02 Angstrom suggests monodentate coordination, in line with UO(2)SO(4)(aq) as the dominant species. With increasing [SO(4)(2-)]/[UO(2)(2+)] ratio, an additional U-S distance of 3.11 +/- 0.02 Angstrom appears, suggesting bidentate coordination in line with the predominance of the UO(2)(SO(4))(2)(2-) species. The sulfate coordination of Th(IV) and U(IV) was investigated at [SO(4)(2-)]/[M(IV)] ratios > or = 8. The Th(IV) sulfato complex comprises both, monodentate and bidentate coordination, with Th-S distances of 3.81 +/- 0.02 and 3.14 +/- 0.02 Angstrom, respectively. A similar coordination is obtained for U(IV) sulfato complexes at pH 1 with monodentate and bidentate U-S distances of 3.67 +/- 0.02 and 3.08 +/- 0.02 Angstrom, respectively. By increasing the pH value to 2, a U(IV) sulfate precipitates. This precipitate shows only a U-S distance of 3.67 +/- 0.02 Angstrom in line with a monodentate linkage between U(IV) and sulfate. Previous controversially discussed observations of either monodentate or bidentate sulfate coordination in aqueous solutions can now be explained by differences of the [SO(4)(2-)]/[M] ratio. At low [SO(4)(2-)]/[M] ratios, the monodentate coordination prevails, and bidentate coordination becomes important only at higher ratios.

Structures of Dimeric Hydrolysis Products of Thorium

Three unique thorium dimeric compounds have been crystallized from either direct hydrolysis of Th4+(aq)/HCl or titration of Th(OH)4(am) with Th(NO3)4(aq) and their structures determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound [Th2(micro2-OH)2(NO3)6(H2O)6]H2O (1) is identical to that identified previously by Johansson. Two additional unreported compounds have been identified, [Th2(micro2-OH)2(NO3)4(H2O)8](NO3)2 (2) and [Th2(micro2-OH)2Cl2(H2O)12]Cl4.2H2O (3). 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, with a = 6.792(2) A, b = 11.710(4) A, c = 13.778(5) A, and beta = 102.714(5) degrees and 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n, with a = 6.926(5) A, b = 7.207(1) A, c = 21.502(1) A, and beta = 96.380(1) degrees . The chloride-containing dimer, 3, crystallizes in triclinic P, with a = 8.080(2) A, b = 8.880(2) A, c = 9.013(2) A, alpha = 97.41(3) degrees , beta = 91.00(3), and gamma = 116.54(3) degrees . We also present high-energy X-ray scattering data demonstrating the presence of the hydroxo-bridged moiety in solution and discuss our findings in the context of known solid-state structures. The three structures demonstrate 11-, 10-, and 9-coordinate thorium, respectively, and coupled with the scattering experiments provide additional structural and chemical insight into tetravalent actinide hydrolysis.

Cationic hydrous thorium dioxide colloids--a useful tool for staining negatively charged surface matrices of bacteria for use in energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy

Background

Synthesis of cationic hydrous thorium dioxide colloids (ca. 1.0 to 1.7 nm) has been originally described by Müller [22] and Groot [11] and these have been used by Groot to stain acidic glucosaminoglycans for ultrastructure research of different tissues by conventional transmission electron microscopy.

Results

Synthesis of colloidal thorium dioxide has been modified and its use as a suitable stain of acidic mucopolysaccharides and other anionic biopolymers from bacteria, either as whole mount preparations or as preembedment labels, is described. The differences in stain behavior relative to commonly used rutheniumred-lysine and Alcian Blue™ electron dense acidic stains has been investigated and its use is exemplified for Pseudomonas aeruginosa adjacent cell wall biopolymers. For the first time thorificated biopolymers, i.e. bacterial outer cell wall layers, have been analysed at the ultrastructural level with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI), leading to excellent contrast and signal strength for these extracellular biopolymers.

Conclusion

Application of cationic hydrous ThO₂ colloids for tracing acidic groups of the bacterial surface and/or EPS has been shown to be rather effective by transmission electron microscopy. Because of its high electron density and its good diffusibility it stains and outlines electro-negative charges within these biopolymers. In combination with ESI, based on integrated energy-filtered electron microscopy (EFTEM) Th-densities and thus negative charge densities can be discriminated from other elemental densities, especially in environmental samples, such as biofilms.

Local Structure of Actinide Dioxide Solid Solutions Th1-xUxO2 and Th1-xPuxO2

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) has been utilized to investigate the local atomic structure around Th, U, and Pu atoms in polycrystalline mixed dioxides Th(1-x)M(x)O2 (with M = U, Pu) for x ranging from 0 to 1. The composition dependence of the two first-coordination-shell distances was measured throughout the entire composition range for both solid solutions. The first-shell distances vary slightly across the solid-solution composition with values close to those of the pure dioxide parents, indicating a bimodal cation-oxygen distribution. In contrast, the second-shell distance varies strongly with composition, with values close to the weighted amount average distances. Nevertheless, in both systems, the lattice cell parameters, deduced from the first- and second-shell bond determined by EXAFS, are very close to those measured from X-ray diffraction (XRD). They vary linearly with composition, accurately following Vegard's law.

Combined LIBD and XAFS investigation of the formation and structure of Zr(IV) colloids

The solubility of Zr(OH)4(am)--in other words hydrated Zr(IV) oxyhydroxide--is determined by means of coulometric titration (CT), and colloids are detected by laser-induced breakdown when the solubility limit is exceeded. Our results at pH 3-8 demonstrate that the solubility of Zr(OH)4(am) is several orders of magnitude higher than reported classical solubility data for acidic solutions, determined from undersaturation with a less soluble microcrystalline Zr(IV) oxide precipitate. Analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data shows that the microcrystalline colloids in a 0.1 mol l(-1) Zr aqueous solution at pH 0.2 contain tetrameric units, similar to those present in the structure of ZrOCl2.8H2O. Characterization of the CT solutions by means of EXAFS shows that oligomeric species form as the solubility limit is approached. The current lack of data on equilibrium constants for polynuclear hydroxide complexes prohibits the use of a realistic speciation model to describe the solubility of pH-dependent Zr(OH)4(am). However, the solubility curve is obtained using the mononuclear hydrolysis constants estimated in the present paper, along with the solubility constant (log K'sp=-49.9+/-0.5 in 0.5 mol l(-1) NaCl; log K degrees(sp)=-53.1+/-0.5 at I=0).

Local and nanoscale structure and speciation in the PuO2+x-y(OH)2y.zH2O system

Pu L(3) X-ray absorption fine structure spectra from 24 samples of PuO(2+x) (and two related Pu-substituted oxides), prepared by a variety of methods, demonstrate that (1) although the Pu sublattice remains the ordered part of the Pu distribution, the nearest-neighbor O atoms even at x = 0 are found in a multisite distribution with Pu-O distances consistent with the stable incorporation of OH(-) (and possibly H(2)O and H(+)) into the PuO(2) lattice; (2) the excess O from oxidation is found at Pu-O distances <1.9 A, consistent with the multiply bound "oxo"-type ligands found in molecular complexes of Pu(V) and Pu(VI); (3) the Pu associated with these oxo groups is most likely Pu(V), so that the excess O probably occurs as PuO(2)(+) moieties that are aperiodically distributed through the lattice; and (4) the collective interactions between these defect sites most likely cause them to cluster so as give nanoscale heterogeneity in the form of domains that may have unusual reactivity, observed as sequential oxidation by H(2)O at ambient conditions. The most accurate description of PuO(2) is therefore actually PuO(2+x-y)(OH)(2)(y).zH(2)O, with pure, ordered, homogeneous PuO(2) attained only when H(2)O is rigorously excluded and the O activity is relatively low.

Reactions of Laser-Ablated Uranium Atoms with H2O in Excess Argon: A Matrix Infrared and Relativistic DFT Investigation of Uranium Oxyhydrides

Laser-ablated U atoms react with H2O during condensation in excess argon. Infrared absorptions at 1416.3, 1377.1, and 859.4 cm(-1) are assigned to symmetric H-U-H, antisymmetric H-U-H, and U=O stretching vibrations of the primary reaction product H(2)UO. Uranium monoxide, UO, also formed in the reaction, inserts into H2O to produce HUO(OH), which absorbs at 1370.5, 834.3, and 575.7 cm(-1). The HUO(OH) uranium(IV) product undergoes ultraviolet photoisomerization to a more stable H2UO2 uranium(VI) molecule, which absorbs at 1406.4 and 885.9 cm(-1). Several of these species, particularly H2UO2, appear to form weak Ar-coordinated complexes. The predicted vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts from relativistic DFT calculations are in good agreement with observed spectra, which further supports the identification of novel uranium oxyhydrides from matrix infrared spectra.

Infrared spectra and structures of the Th(OH)2 and Th(OH)4 molecules

Thorium atoms react with H2O2, H2 + O2 mixtures, and H2O in excess argon to form the Th(OH)2 and Th(OH)4 molecules as minor and major products, respectively. The vibrational frequencies observed in the matrix infrared spectra are in excellent agreement with MP2 computed values, which confirms the identification of these highly ionic thorium hydroxide molecules. Our MP2 calculations converge to slightly bent and tetrahedral structures, respectively. This investigation reports the first evidence for pure actinide dihydroxide and tetrahydroxide molecules.

Local Structure and Charge Distribution in the UO2−U4O9 System

Analysis of X-ray absorption fine structure spectra of UO(2+x) for x = 0-0.20 (UO(2)--U(4)O(9)) reveals that the adventitious O atoms are incorporated as oxo groups with U--O distances of 1.74 A, most likely associated with U(VI), that occur in clusters so that the UO(2) fraction of the material largely remains intact. In addition to the formation of some additional longer U--O bonds, the U sublattice consists of an ordered portion that displays the original U--U distance and a spectroscopically silent, glassy part. This is very different from previous models derived from neutron diffraction that maintained long U--O distances and high U--O coordination numbers. UO(2+x) also differs from PuO(2+x) in its substantially shorter An-oxo distances and no sign of stable coordination with H(2)O and its hydrolysis products.

XAFS and LIBD Investigation of the Formation and Structure of Colloidal Pu(IV) Hydrolysis Products

Pu(IV) oxyhydroxide colloid growth is investigated with XAFS and LIBD. From combined results a model of colloid formation is proposed, which leads to a face-centered cubic Pu sublattice having cation defects, as observed with EXAFS, and a linear dependency of log [Pu(IV)] on -log [H+] with slope -2, in accord with LIBD. The solubility for Pu(IV) measured with LIBD is close to the lower limit of the solubility curve from previously reported data.

Higher order speciation effects on plutonium L(3) X-ray absorption near edge spectra

Pu L(3) X-ray near edge absorption spectra for Pu(0-VII) are reported for more than 60 chalcogenides, chlorides, hydrates, hydroxides, nitrates, carbonates, oxy-hydroxides, and other compounds both as solids and in solution, and substituted in zirconolite, perovskite, and borosilicate glass. This large database extends the known correlations between the energy and shape of these spectra from the usual association of the XANES with valence and site symmetry to higher order chemical effects. Because of the large number of compounds of these different types, a number of novel and unexpected behaviors are observed, such as effects resulting from the medium and disorder that can be as large as those from valence.

Mechanisms of uranyl sorption

Detailed knowledge of the reactions at the water/colloid/mineral interface is crucial to model accurately actinide behaviour in nature. In this paper, we review current knowledge of the sorption of actinides and of the mechanisms of sorption, with a particular focus on uranyl. Of major interest is the influence of the aqueous uranyl species (e.g., carbonate complexes, polynuclear species, colloids) on the uranyl sorption species. We present extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies on the coordination of uranyl onto an amorphous Al phase and onto quartz, respectively. Our XPS investigations show that two components having uranyl ions in very distinct coordination environments co-exist on quartz at high uranyl surface coverage, independently of the presence of uranyl carbonate complexes or uranyl colloids in solution. One component corresponds to polynuclear surface species and/or schoepite-like surface precipitates. In the case of similar uranyl concentrations and of high carbonate solution concentrations, polymeric uranyl species are formed on quartz, whereas no such surface species occurs on the Al phase. Uranyl is found on the Al phase as mononuclear uranyl carbonato surface complexes only. These results are of importance because they suggest that mineral surface characteristics strongly control the uranyl surface species in aquifers.

Development and application of the Nagra/PSI Chemical Thermodynamic Data Base 01/01

The Nagra/PSI Chemical Thermodynamic Data Base is a critical selection of thermodynamic data used to support performance assessments for planned radioactive waste repositories in Switzerland. For this purpose, the data base is focused on actinides and fission products, but also includes additional data for major elements occurring in common groundwaters. Recently, a peer-reviewed update was carried out (from data base version 05/92 to 01/01) involving major revisions for most actinides and fission products. Altogether, more than 70% of the data base contents have been revised. Most of the thermodynamic data for U, Np, Pu, Am, and Tc were adopted from the reviews by the NEA TDB project. In contrast, data for Th, Sn, Eu, Pd, Al, as well as the solubility and metal complexation of sulphides and silicates, were extensively reviewed. Less effort was put into the review of data for Zr, Ni, and Se as these elements are currently being reviewed in Phase II of the NEA TDB project. The data for metal complexation with organic ligands from data base version 05/92 were not included in this update. They will be reconsidered in a future update, after completion of the NEA TDB Phase II review of organic ligands. The chemical consistency of the selected data was checked with empirical rules related to the periodic properties of the elements and with correlations based on charge/size relations. As a result of the update, major gaps in the data base could be identified, especially with respect to missing carbonate complexes. In some systems, for example, Th(IV)-H2O and U(IV)-H2O, conflicting experimental data cannot be described by a unique set of thermodynamic constants and a pragmatic approach closely reproducing measured solubility data was chosen for application to performance assessment. The electronic version of the Nagra/PSI Chemical Thermodynamic Data Base 01/01 and information concerning its full documentation is available on the PSI web site.

Low temperature XAFS investigation on the lutetium binding changes during the 2-line ferrihydrite alteration process

The time dependent changes of Lu speciation (used as Am(III) homologue), initially sorbed onto 2-line ferrihydrite at pH 5.9, during tempering (70 degrees C) to stable crystalline transformation products, goethite and hematite, is studied. Microscopies (AFM, SEM), XRD and FTIR spectroscopy confirm transformation to both goethite and hematite, with a predominance of hematite. XRD investigation of another transformation series at pH 8.0 (75 degrees C, [Lu(III)initial] 7 times higher) shows that the cell volume of hematite increases, suggesting the incorporation of Lu in the crystal structure. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) (pH 5.9 series, 70 degrees C) reveals a shortening of the Lu-O bond distance and an increase in asymmetry of the first shell with increasing tempering time in the intermediate temper time samples. The intensity of the second peak in the Fourier transform (FT) of the EXAFS increases and splits into two components. The EXAFS data of the end product can be modeled well using a hematite-like cluster, with an isotropic expansion of distances to account for incorporation of Lu into the hematite structure. These results demonstrate that the Lu is incorporated in the crystal lattice of the transformation product, as opposed to being occluded or remaining a sorbed species on the surface.