In Situ Characterisation of Model UK Nuclear Waste Glasses by X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Under Process Conditions

Abstract

AbstractThe local co-ordination environment of Zr in a model alkali borosilicate glass, of relevance to nuclear waste immobilisation, was studied by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy between 25 – 1060°C. Analysis of Zr K-edge XANES spectra, in comparison with those of well characterised standards, demonstrated, for the first time, the reversible transformation of ZrO6 to ZrO7 co-ordination polyhedra at high temperature. This observation was rationalised on the basis of the combined effects of network modifier cation diffusion and thermal expansion.