Flux Crystal Growth of the Extended Structure Pu(V) Borate Na(PuO)(BO).

As part of our exploration of plutonium-containing materials as potential nuclear waste forms, we report the first extended structure Pu(V) material and the first Pu(V) borate. Crystals of Na(PuO)(BO) were grown out of mixed hydroxide/boric acid flux and found to crystallize in the orthorhombic space group with lattice parameters of = 9.9067(4) Å, = 6.

Developing Waste Forms for Transuranic Elements: Quaternary Neptunium Fluorides of the Type NaMNpF (M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Al, Ga).

A series of quaternary Np(IV) fluorides was synthesized using a mild hydrothermal synthesis approach. The compositions are all of the type NaMNpF, where M = Ti(III), V(III), Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Al(III), and Ga(III) and = 4 for divalent metals, = 3 for trivalent metals. The compounds all crystallize in the -31 space group and are isotypic with actinide analogues NaMAnF (An = Ce, U, Th, Pu).

Capture Instead of Release: Defect-Modulated Radionuclide Leaching Kinetics in Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Comparison of defect-controlled leaching-kinetics modulation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous functionalized silica-based materials was performed on the example of a radionuclide and radionuclide surrogate for the first time, revealing an unprecedented readsorption phenomenon. On a series of zirconium-based MOFs as model systems, we demonstrated the ability to capture and retain >99% of the transuranic Am radionuclide after 1 week of storage. We report the possibility of tailoring radionuclide release kinetics in MOFs through framework defects as a function of postsynthetically installed organic ligands including cation-chelating crown ether-based linkers.

Preparation and characterization of multiphase ceramic designer waste forms.

The long-term performance, or resistance to elemental release, is the defining characteristic of a nuclear waste form. In the case of multiphase ceramic waste forms, correlating the long-term performance of multiphase ceramic waste forms in the environment to accelerated chemical durability testing in the laboratory is non-trivial owing to their complex microstructures. The fabrication method, which in turn affects the microstructure, is further compounding when comparing multiphase ceramic waste forms.

Targeting complex plutonium oxides by combining crystal chemical reasoning with density-functional theory calculations: the quaternary plutonium oxide CsPuSiO.

The stability of the novel Pu(iv) silicate, Cs2PuSi6O15, was predicted from a combination of crystal chemical reasoning and DFT calculations and confirmed by its synthesis via flux crystal growth. Formation enthalpies of the A2MSi6O15 (A = Na-Cs; M = Ce, Th, U-Pu) compositional family were calculated and indicated the Cs-containing phases should preferentially form in the Cmc21 structure type, consistent with previous experimental findings and the novel phases produced in this work, Cs2PuSi6O15 and Cs2CeSi6O15. The formation enthalpies of a second set of compositions, A2MSi3O9, were also calculated and a comparison between the two compositional families correctly predicted A2MSi6O15 to be on average more stable than A2MSi3O9.

Expansion of the Na M (Ln/An) F Series: Incorporation of Plutonium into a Highly Robust and Stable Framework.

Na MAn F is an extremely versatile framework structure for incorporating tetravalent actinides (An) and cerium along with divalent or trivalent d-metals (M); moreover, the structure exhibits a high resistance to harsh chemical conditions. This extreme robustness can potentially be exploited for the sequestration of plutonium in a stable matrix; however, no Na MPu F compounds have been reported so far. Herein, we present four new plutonium fluorides that have been prepared as single crystals by mild hydrothermal synthesis methods.

"Boarding-Up": Radiation Damage and Radionuclide Leaching Kinetics in Linker-Capped Metal-Organic Frameworks.

For the first time, we report the ability to control radionuclide species release kinetics in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a function of postsynthetic capping linker installation, which is essential for understanding MOF potential as viable radionuclide wasteform materials or versatile platforms for sensing, leaching, and radionuclide sequestration. The radiation damage of prepared frameworks under γ radiation has also been studied. We envision that the presented studies are the first steps toward utilization of the reported scaffolds for more efficient nuclear waste administration.

A-site compositional effects in Ga-doped hollandite materials of the form BaxCsyGa2x+yTi8-2x-yO16: implications for Cs immobilization in crystalline ceramic waste forms.

The hollandite structure is a promising crystalline host for Cs immobilization. A series of Ga-doped hollandite BaxCsyGa2x+yTi8-2x-yO16 (x = 0, 0.667, 1.