Self-Propagating Synthesis and Characterization Studies of Gd-Bearing Hf-Zirconolite Ceramic Waste Forms

Synroc is recognized as the second-generation waste matrice for nuclear waste disposal. Zirconolite is one of the most durable Synroc minerals. In this study, Gd and Hf were selected as the surrogates of trivalent and tetravalent actinide nuclides. Gd-bearing Hf-zirconolite (Ca1−xHf1−xGd2xTi2O7) ceramic waste forms were rapidly synthesized from a self-propagating technique using CuO as the oxidant. The results indicate that Gd can concurrently replace the Ca and Hf sites. However, Gd2O3 could not completely be incorporated into the lattice structure of zirconolite when the x value is higher than 0.8. The aqueous durability of selected Gd-Hf codoped sample (Hf-Gd-0.6) was tested, where the 42 days normalized leaching rates (LRi) of Ca, Cu, Gd and Hf are measured to be 1.57, 0.13, 4.72 × 10−7 and 1.59 × 10−8 g·m−2·d−1.

Influence of Ho3+ doping on the temperature sensing behavior of Er3+–Yb3+ doped La2CaZnO5 phosphor

Er3+/Yb3+ and Er3+/Ho3+/Yb3+ codoped La2CaZnO5 phosphors were prepared by the combustion synthesis method. The Er3+/Yb3+-codoped sample exhibited strong green and red UC emissions. The phosphors are suitable for future applications in thermometry.

Enhanced Photoactivity of Fe + N Codoped Anatase-RutileTiO2Nanowire Film under Visible Light Irradiation

Rutile-anatase phase mixedFe+Ncodoped TiO2nanowires were designed and prepared by a two-step anodic oxidation method. The results of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirm that the preparedFe+Ncodoped TiO2nanowires exhibit intimately contacted anatase-rutile heterostructure with the rutile content of 21.89%. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show that nitrogen and iron atoms are incorporated into the titania oxide lattice, and the UV-visible absorption spectra show that the codoping of iron and nitrogen atoms could extend the absorption to visible light region. The photocatalytic activities of all the samples were evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. TheFe+Ncodoped sample achieves the best response to visible light and the highest photocatalytic activities. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity forFe+Ncodoped sample should be ascribed to the synergistic effects of codoped nitrogen and iron ions and the anatase-rutile heterostructure.