The effects of hydrogen peroxide solution and ultrasound on the dissolution of electrodeposited uranium oxide

Sonochemistry of actinides: from ions to nanoparticles and beyond

Sonochemistry studies chemical and physical effects in liquids submitted to power ultrasound. These effects arise not from a direct interaction of molecules with sound waves, but rather from the acoustic cavitation: the nucleation, growth, and implosive collapse of microbubbles in liquids submitted to power ultrasound. The violent implosion of bubbles leads to the formation of chemically reactive species. In principle, each cavitation bubble can be considered as a microreactor initiating chemical reactions at mild conditions. In addition, microjets and shock waves accompanied bubble collapse produce fragmentation, dispersion and erosion of solid surfaces or particles. Microbubbles oscillating in liquids also enable nucleation and precipitation of nanosized actinide compounds with specific morphology. This review focuses on the versatile sonochemical processes with actinide ions and particles in homogenous solutions and heterogenous systems. The redox reactions in aqueous solutions, dissolution or precipitation of refractory solids, synthesis of actinide nanoparticles, and ultrasonically driving decontamination are considered. The guideline for further research is also discussed.

Sonochemical decontamination of magnesium and magnesium-zirconium alloys in mild conditions

UNGG cladding nuclear wastes constitute a huge volume of Mg-based materials that raises economic and safety concerns, particularly due to their radioactivity coupled to the potential generation of H₂ gas under deep underground disposal. Their significant decontamination would result in more secure and less expensive storage, with a better containment of the separated long-lived radioisotopes that could enter in a classical channel. Sonication of genuine UNGG cladding materials and simulants at 345 kHz in 0.01 M oxalic acid solution (20 °C) allowed the structuring of their surfaces with the observation of homogeneously distributed craters of 20-40 µm in diameter. After a thorough characterization and comparison of the ultrasound effects generated at the surface, the various samples were artificially contaminated and characterized before sonication. The complete and rapid sonochemical decontamination of Mg-based materials was then observed, in addition to the removal of the carbon layer promoting corrosion on the inner UNGG cladding. The extension of sonication allows the neo-formed brucite (Mg(OH)₂) and zirconium-based phases to accumulate on the surface, thus contributing in a slight but continuous surface recontamination process. This phenomenon results from the re-adsorption of uranyl cations from the solution which can be avoided by optimizing the duration of treatment.