Abstract:
137Cs could be solidificated in lattice of hydrothermal synthesized pollucite at relatively low temperature. The structures of pollucite might be greatly influenced by K
+/Na
+ coexisting with Cs
+ in radioactive wastes because of the similar nature and properties of alkali metal ion. Based on above, pollucite micro-spheres were firstly hydrothermally synthesized by using metakaolin, nano-SiO
2 and CsOH•H
2O according to the stoichiometric composition of pollucite (CsAlSi
2O
6). Then, the effect of K
+/Na
+ on formation and structures of pollucite was researched through the substitution of CsOH•H
2O by NaOH or KOH. Results indicate that relatively low hydrothermal crystallization temperature of pollucite with polycrystalline nature is observed. Pollucite micro spheres would be the main products when Cs
+ coexists with K
+, and diameters of pollucite spheres increase with K
+. However, K
+ would exist in potassium aluminosilicate hydrates with low crystallinity instead of involving in the pollucite formation. Pollucite and analcite are the main products when Cs
+ coexists with Na
+. Na
+ or Cs
+ might be in structure of analcite and pollucite, respectively. It is found that the K
+/Na
+ could not enter and occupy the alkali ion sites in pollucite structure under hydrothermal conditions because of the non-migration and non-exchange of Cs
+ in pollucite structure. However, hydrothermal crystallization temperature of pollucite could be further reduced and the crystal size of pollucite would increase in the presence of K
+/Na
+. Cs
+ would be still stablely solidificated in the lattice of as-formed pollucite when K
+/Na
+ coexists with Cs
+.