NSUF 20-4171: Crystallization and Phase-Separation in Melt-Derived Nuclear Waste Forms
This project aims to gain a fundamental insight into the stability of glass waste forms and glass ceramic phases to be used for safe and reliable encapsulation of nuclear waste. In particular, we will seek to understand thermodynamic and structural properties involved in crystallization and phase separation in melt-derived waste forms, such as glasses and glass-ceramics, by using a baseline glass composition with varying additives. We will achieve our research objectives by combining neutron PDF measurements at the Spallation Neutron Source with X-Ray scattering experiments at the NSLS-II X-ray Powder Diffraction Beamline. Along with complementary local characterization techniques, such as Raman and EXAFS, our approach will produce a unique set of data for Reverse Monte Carlo modeling. This will help to interpret and fundamentally understand thermodynamic and structural properties in glasses and glass-ceramics, which will ultimately lead to a model to predict phase stability of waste forms over long timescales. It should be noted that this NSUF proposal will specifically request access to the unique synchrotron X-ray capabilities of the NSLS-II, which will complement our ongoing efforts related to an existing NEUP project under the Material Recovery and Waste Form Development campaign, focusing on the waste form development by investigating the structure and thermodynamics of melt-derived nuclear waste forms.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Awarded Institution | University of Tennessee-Knoxville |
| Embargo End Date | 2026-02-27 |
| Facility Tech Lead | Simerjeet Gill |
| NSUF Call | FY 2020 RTE 2nd Call |
| PI | Maik Lang |
| PIE Facilities | National Synchrotron Light Source II |
| Project Member | Dr. Lynne Ecker, Deputy Department Chair - Brookhaven National Laboratory (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9941-8009) |
| Project Member | Igor Gussev - University of Tennessee-Knoxville |
| Project Member | Professor Maik Lang, Associate Professor - University of Tennessee-Knoxville |
| Project Notes | Awarded on 07/14/2020 |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 4171 |