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Mezyk, Stephen P.

Publications and source records attributed to Mezyk, Stephen P..

23 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Curium(iii) radiation-induced reaction kinetics in aqueous media

Insight into the effects of radiolytic processes on the actinides is critical for advancing our understanding of their solution chemistry because the behaviour of these elements cannot be easily separated from the influence of their inherent radiation field. However, minimal information exists on the radiation-induced redox behaviour of curium (Cm), a key trivalent transuranic element present in used nuclear fuel and frequently used as an alpha radiation source. Here we present a kinetic study on the aqueous redox reactions of Cm(III) with radicals generated through the radiolysis of aqueous media. In particular, we probe reaction kinetics in nitric acid solutions that are used as the aqueous phase component of used nuclear fuel reprocessing solvent systems. Second-order rate coefficients (k) were measured for the reaction of Cm(III) with the hydrated electron (e aq - , k = (1.25 ± 0.03) × 10 10 M -1 s -1 ), hydrogen atom (H˙, k = (5.16 ± 0.37) × 10 8 M -1 s -1 ), hydroxyl radical (˙OH, k = (1.69 ± 0.24) × 10 9 M -1 s -1 ), and nitrate radical (NO 3 ˙, k = (4.83 ± 0.09) × 10 7 M -1 s -1 ). Furthermore, the first-ever Cm(II) absorption spectrum (300–700 nm) is also reported. These kinetic data dispel the status quo notion of Cm(III) possessing little to no redox chemistry in aqueous solution, and suggest that the resulting Cm(II) and Cm(IV) transients could exist in irradiated aqueous solutions and be available to undergo subsequent redox chemistry with other solutes.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2021

Gamma and pulsed electron radiolysis studies of CyMe 4 BTBP and CyMe 4 BTPhen: Identification of radiolysis products and effects on the hydrometallurgical separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides

The radiolytic stability of the highly selective ligands CyMe 4 BTBP and CyMe 4 BTPhen against ionizing gamma radiation was studied in 1-octanol solution. CyMe 4 BTBP and CyMe 4 BTPhen are important extractants for a potential treatment of used nuclear fuel. They were studied under identical experimental conditions to directly compare the effects of gamma and pulsed electron radiolysis on the ligands and systematically study the influence of structural changes in the ligand backbone. Distribution ratios of Am 3+ , Cm 3+ and Eu 3+ , the residual concentration of CyMe 4 BTBP and CyMe 4 BTPhen in solution, and the formation of radiolysis products were studied as a function of absorbed gamma dose and presence of an acidic aqueous phase during irradiation. Quantitative and semi-quantitative analyses were used to elucidate the radiolysis mechanism for both ligands. Addition products of alpha-hydroxyoctyl radicals formed through radiolysis of the 1-octanol diluent to the ligand molecules were identified as the predominant radiolysis products. These addition products also extract trivalent metal ions, as distribution ratios remained high although the parent molecule concentrations decreased. Therefore, the utilization time of a solvent using these extractants under the harsh conditions of used nuclear fuel treatment could be considerably longer than expected. Understanding the radiolysis mechanism is crucial for designing more radiation resistant extractants.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Radiolytic transformation of AHA under single-cycle conditions

Historically, the radiation robustness of extractant ligands and the impact of their radiolysis products have been used to evaluate the radiolytic feasibility of solvent system formulations for used nuclear fuel (UNF) reprocessing. However, other key additives (e.g., reducing and hold-back reagents) are employed by these solvent systems. These chemical species have typically been overlooked from a radiolytic perspective, and consequently little is known on how they impact process performance. Therefore, to holistically support the development of advanced, simplified, single-cycle flowsheets for UNF reprocessing, the radiation robustness of two key proposed additives – (i) the complexing reductant acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) and (ii) the hold-back reagent 1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid (CDTA) – have been evaluated under envisioned process conditions using a combination of steady-state gamma and time-resolved pulsed electron irradiation techniques.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2020

Radiolytic degradation of formic acid and formate in aqueous solution: modeling the final stages of organic mineralization under advanced oxidation process conditions

The successful use of advanced oxidation processes to treat aqueous solutions containing undesirable organic species requires the degradation of these species to lower molecular weight, lower hazard compounds. Safe application of this technology requires a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of degradation. These oxidative transformations are mainly initiated by the reactions of reactive oxygen species, particularly hydroxyl radicals. These react with organic molecules to generate carbon-centered radicals. In the presence of dissolved oxygen, the carbon-centered radicals are next converted to peroxyl radicals, which then decay to lower molecular weight species by multiple mechanistic pathways. Formic acid and its conjugate base formate are the last stable chemical species produced immediately before the complete mineralization of any organic molecule undergoing oxidative degradation in aqueous solution. Once understood, the radical-induced chemistry of formic acid/formate under these conditions has wide applicability in all advanced oxidation technologies. To develop this quantitative knowledge, here we have performed a series of 60 Co gamma irradiation studies on aqueous formic acid/formate over different pH and solution conditions. The measured species concentration changes, as a function of applied dose, are compared with the predictions of a kinetic computer model constructed from literature reactions and reported rate coefficients. The excellent agreement found between the results and modeling gives confidence in the mechanism presented here and provide the first complete computer model for the radiolytic degradation of formic acid in water.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗