Microwave sintering for rapid treatment of simulated Nd3+ and Sr2+ radioactive contaminated soil: exploring the influence of Nd:Sr mass ratio and mechanism

This study achieves the successful immobilization of simulated alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides (Nd3+ and Sr2+, respectively) by incorporating them into a glass matrix through Nd2O3/SrSO4 (Nd/Sr). Varying mixture concentrations (5 –30 wt% with mass ratios Nd:Sr varied from 10:1 to 1:10) in simulated radioactive soils were subjected to microwave sintering at 1500 °C for 0.5 h. Comprehensive assessments, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), confirm the vitrification process’s efficacy. The vitrified sample exhibits an amorphous structure, smooth surface, and homogeneously distributed elements, highlighting microwave sintering as a promising method for the effective disposal of radioactive-c ontaminated soil.Graphical abstract
Source: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Category: Nuclear Medicine Source Type: research