Overview
The safe disposal of radioactive waste is of growing concern. In Australia such waste is generated, partly, by medical applications, radiopharmaceutical production, the Lucas Heights facility, and the mining of mineral sands and uranium. Two of Australia's uranium mines alone produce about 10 million tonnes of mill tailings per year.
One method of dealing with the waste is through cation exchange. Natural materials such as zeolites and clays preferentially exchange cations for the radioactive particles, which also carry a positive charge. Recently, more efficient synthetic absorbents have been constructed.
- Research leader
- Organisational unit
- Lead unit Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Chemistry
Professor Huai Yong ZhuDetails
When the concentration of ions reaches a saturation point, the layers collapse, locking the radioactive ions into the fibres.
One method of dealing with the waste is through cation exchange. Natural materials such as zeolites and clays preferentially exchange cations for the radioactive particles, which also carry a positive charge. Recently, more efficient synthetic absorbents have been constructed.Chemistry researchers at QUT, in conjunction with researchers from Nankai University, have developed a novel cation exchange material consisting of a layered titanate nanofibre, with an interlayer containing sodium cations. The titanate structure forms negatively charged chains in a zigzag formation, and the radioactive cations are exchanged with the sodium.
The titanate structure forms negatively charged chains in a zigzag formation, and the radioactive cations are exchanged with the sodium.
The team has discovered that this layered material has a unique property: When the concentration of ions reaches a saturation point, the layers collapse, locking the radioactive ions into the fibres. The fibres are easily removed and buried, since they are stable against radiation, chemicals and thermal change. Other nanoparticle materials are being investigated for similar usage as 'intelligent' absorbents.
