The Effects of Na2O, Al2O3, and 3203 ON HfO2 Solubility in Borosilicate Glass

Abstract

AbstractA single borosilicate glass composition has previously been shown to dissolve 10 and 25 mass% PuO2 under oxidizing and reducing conditions, respectively. A simplified version of this glass has been thoroughly investigated to determine the effect of increasing the alkali:aluminum ratio on the HfO2 solubility in borosilicate glasses. We are investigating HfO2 solubility because specific Pu wastes are being considered for disposal in glass, and Hf(IV) serves as a structural surrogate for Pu(IV) and as a neutron absorber in glass. Three series of base glasses were produced using the same initial composition, but varying the oxides B2O3, Al2O3, or Na2O one at a time. In a fourth series of the same initial composition, both Na2O and A12O3 were varied. Hafnia was added to these glasses and the mixture equilibrated for 2 hours: 1 hour at 1450°C after 1 hour at 1560°C. A wide range of HfO2 additions were made to the base glasses, and the solubility of HfO2 determined to within ±1 mass%. The highest solubility determined was 14 mol% (35 mass%) HfO2 in a low-Al glass. We conclude that increasing Na2O/Al2O3 increases the HfO2 solubility, and increasing the B2O3 content apparently has little effect on HfO2 solubility in the borosilicate glasses studied.