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DOE OSTI2020

Evaluation of the Change in Uranium Mobility in Sediments from the Hanford 300-FF-5 Stage B Polyphosphate Field Injection

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change in uranium mobility in the periodically re-wetted zone (PRZ) and upper unconfined aquifer of the Hanford Site’s 300-FF-5 operable unit as a result of Stage B polyphosphate (PO 4 ) injections. These 300 Area sediments are beneath or near the former North Process Pond, which has previously been shown to contain metatorbernite [Cu(UO 2 ) 2 (PO 4 ) 2 •8H 2 O] and uranophane [Ca(UO 2 ) 2 (SiO 3 OH) 2 •5H 2 O], along with aqueous and adsorbed uranium (U), and small amounts of U in calcite as a result of acidic disposal with a significant number of co-contaminants. Previous laboratory-scale studies have identified multiple mechanisms that decrease uranium mobility with polyphosphate injection: (a) precipitation of a low-solubility uranium-phosphate mineral (autunite); (b) precipitation of a Ca-phosphate solid that incorporates U; (c) precipitation of Ca-phosphate mineral (apatite group minerals) that coats existing uranium phases (i.e., U in calcite, U in Fe-oxides), reducing uranium leaching; and (d) aqueous Ca-U-carbonate species adsorption onto apatite. Given the significant amount of apatite precipitation, other U phases such as carbonates could also coprecipitate with apatite. To quantify differences in solubility, leachability, and phases of uranium between pre- and post-PO 4 -treated sediments, different types of analyses were conducted, including analysis of uranium in (a) a carbonate solution extraction from sediment over 1000 h (41.67 days), (b) six sequential liquid extractions from sediment over approximately 1 week, (c) leaching of uranium from sediments in one dimensional (1-D) column experiments over 2 months, and (d) solid phase characterization of select sediments. An additional extraction and solid phase measurements were conducted to evaluate phosphate precipitate formation. Metals were also analyzed in sequential liquid extractions as indicators of (a) amendment injection delivery, (b) co-contaminant movement, and (c) changes in solid phases. Aqueous and solid phase carbonate measurements were also conducted to evaluate changes in carbonates.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2021

Phase Transitions in Natural Vanadinite at High Pressures

The structural stability of vanadinite, Pb 5 [VO 4 ] 3 Cl, is reported by high-pressure experiments using synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. XRD experiments were performed up to 44.6 GPa and 700 K using an externally-heated diamond anvil cell (EHDAC), and Raman spectroscopy measurements were performed up to 26.8 GPa at room temperature. XRD experiments revealed a reversible phase transition of vanadinite at 23 GPa and 600 K, which is accompanied by a discontinuous volume reduction and color change of the mineral from transparent to reddish during compression. The high-pressure Raman spectra of vanadinite show apparent changes between 18.0 and 22.8 GPa and finally become amorphous at 26.8 GPa, suggesting structural transitions of this mineral upon compression. The structural changes can be distinguished by the emergence of a new vibrational mode that can be attributed to the distortion of [VO 4 ] and the larger distortion of the V–O bonds, respectively. The [VO 4 ] internal modes in vanadinite give isothermal mode Grüneisen parameters varying from 0.149 to 0.286, yielding an average VO 4 internal mode Grüneisen parameters of 0.202.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Thermodynamic characterization of synthetic lead-arsenate apatites with different halogen substitutions

Abstract Thermodynamic parameters have been measured for synthetic analogs of the mimetite-group minerals Pb5(AsO4)3X (X = OH, Cl, Br, I) belonging to the apatite supergroup. Phases precipitated from aqueous solutions under ambient conditions with well characterized structures and compositions were studied. For each phase, dissolution enthalpy was experimentally determined by oxide melt drop solution calorimetry in a molten solvent of sodium molybdate (3Na2O·4MoO3) at 976 K. The enthalpy of formation from the elements ΔHf,elo was calculated using thermochemical cycles and was −3030.6 ± 11.5, −3026.6 ± 15.8, −2967.6 ± 25.0, and −2993.1 ± 12.2 kJ/mol for Pb5.00(AsO4)3.00OH0.86(CO3)0.07, Pb5.00(AsO4)3.00Cl0.80(CO3)0.10, Pb5.00(AsO4)3.00Br0.80(CO3)0.10, and Pb5.00(AsO4)3.00I0.45OH0.35(CO3)0.10, respectively. These ΔHf,elo values exhibit typical trends for apatites: they increased (were less negative) with the increasing molar mass and ionic radius of X and decreased with the electronegativity and ionization energy of X. The compilation and comparison of data for Ca-, Pb-, P-, and As-apatites revealed correlations indicating that thermodynamic enthalpic stability is largely influenced by chemical factors (e.g., differences in electronegativities of the elements, ionization energy, or ionic characteristics of the bonds) and to a lesser extent by physical and geometric parameters in the crystal structure related to the mass and size of the X anion. Using the correlations, it was possible to estimate the value of hitherto unknown ΔHf,elo for Pb5(AsO4)3F, −3144.3 ± 66.5 kJ/mol. The observed relationships apply to the entire apatite supergroup and can be used to predict the values of ΔHf,elo for phases that have not been studied experimentally. The new data on environmentally significant phases will contribute to the modeling of mineral-water interactions, particularly for potential use in the remediation of soils and wastes contaminated with Pb and As and in the immobilization of radioactive waste containing I-129.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗

DOE OSTI2024

Polymorphism of Pb 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH δ within the LK-99 mixture

During the synthetic exploration targeting the polycrystalline compound LK-99, an unexpected phase, Pb 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH δ , was identified as a byproduct. We elucidated the composition of this compound through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Subsequent synthesis of the target compounds was achieved via high-temperature solid-state pellet reactions. The newly identified Pb 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH δ has an orthorhombic crystal structure with space group Pnma , representing a unique structure differing from the hexagonal apatite phases of Pb 10 (PO 4 ) 6 O and Pb 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH. Comprehensive temperature- and magnetic-field-dependent magnetization studies unveiled a temperature-independent magnetic characteristic of Pb 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH δ . Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was employed to decipher the origins of the phase stability and confirm the presence of hydrogen atoms in Pb 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH δ . These investigations revealed the presence of protonated oxygen sites, in addition to the interstitial water molecules within the structure, which may play critical roles in stabilizing the orthorhombic phase.

Xu, Mingyu (ORCID:0000000171386009)↗

DOE OSTI2021

Binding mechanism and binding free energy of amino acids and citrate to hydroxyapatite surfaces as a function of crystallographic facet, pH, and electrolytes

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is the major mineral phase in bone and teeth. The interaction of individual amino acids and citrate ions with different crystallographic HAP surfaces has remained uncertain for decades, creating a knowledge gap to rationally design interactions with peptides, proteins, and drugs. In this contribution, we quantify the binding mechanisms and binding free energies of the 20 end-capped natural amino acids and citrate ions on the basal (001) and prismatic (010)/(020) planes of hydroxyapatite at pH values of 7 and 5 for the first time at the molecular scale. We utilized over 1500 steered molecular dynamics simulations with highly accurate potentials that reproduce surface and hydration energies of (hkl) hydroxyapatite surfaces at different pH values. Charged residues demonstrate a much higher affinity to HAP than charge-neutral species due to the formation of superficial ion pairs and ease of penetration into layers of water molecules on the mineral surface. Binding free energies range from 0 to -60 kJ/mol and were determined with ~10% uncertainty. The highest affinity was found for citrate, followed by Asp(-) and Glu(-), and followed after a gap by Arg(+), Lys(+), as well as by His(+) at pH 5. The (hkl)-specific area density of calcium ions, the protonation state of phosphate ions, and subsurface directional order of the ions in HAP lead to surface-specific binding patterns. Amino acids without ionic side groups exhibit weak binding, between -3 and 0 kJ/mol, due to difficulties to penetrate the first layer of water molecules on the apatite surfaces. We explain recognition processes that remained elusive in experiments, in prior simulations, discuss agreement with available data, and reconcile conflicting interpretations. In conclusion, the findings can serve as useful input for the design of peptides, proteins, and drug molecules for the modification of bone and teeth-related materials, as well as control of apatite mineralization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2020

Structural Assessment of Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, and Hydroxide Substitutions in Lead Arsenate Apatites (Mimetites)–Pb 5 (AsO 4 ) 3 X

Five lead-arsenate apatites (mimetites)-Pb 5 (AsO 4 ) 3 X—where X denotes fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and hydroxide (OH)—were synthesized via precipitation from aqueous solutions. The crystal structures were determined through Rietveld refinement of powder synchrotron X-ray data. All the compounds crystallized in the hexagonal class symmetry (space group P6 3 /m). The Rietveld refinement indicated that mimetite-Cl, -Br, -I, and -OH had an anion deficiency at position X. Substitution of halogens in a mimetite structure brought about systematic changes in unit-cell parameters, interatomic distances, and metaprism twist angles φ, proportional to the substituted halogen’s ionic radius. Mimetite-OH did not follow the linear correlations determined within the series. Twist angle φ, a useful device for monitoring changes in apatite topology, ranged from 20.34° for mimetite-F to 11.42° for mimetite-I. The geometric method has been proposed for determining the diameter of hexagonal channels hosting halogens in apatites. A comparison of the results with halogenated pyromorphites showed similar systematic trends: the substitutions in mimetites have comparable effect on the interatomic distances as in their phosphorous analogues.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2026

The solubility and speciation of REE phosphate endmembers (CePO 4 and YPO 4 ) in Cl-rich aqueous fluids from 350 to 450 °C and implications for natural systems

The rare earth elements (REE) are important metals used increasingly in advanced technologies. Within the crust, the elements Ce and Y are commonly more abundant compared to other lanthanides and comprise important end-member constituents of REE-bearing minerals. Specifically, Ce is part of the light (L) REE which have larger ionic radii than the heavy (H) REE, which are grouped together with Y. These differences in ionic radius can lead to important physico-chemical trends within the lanthanide group. Despite a recent increase in experimental and thermodynamic data for the REE at high temperature and pressure, there is still a significant lack of these data at supercritical conditions. In this study we conducted batch-type experiments to measure the solubility of REE phosphates (CePO 4 and YPO 4 ) at varying starting pH (1.5–10), and salinity (0.01–1.4 mol/kg NaCl) at 350 and P sat , and from 400 to 450 °C at 700 bar. Results show that the solubility of Ce (33–0.14 ppb) is generally higher than Y (13–0.13 ppb) and that Ce complexes more strongly with both chloride and hydroxyl ligands compared to Y. The solubilities of both REE phosphates are highly pH-dependent and, to a lesser extent, depend on salinity at the studied conditions. The solubility data from this study were implemented into the GEMSFITS program to optimize the thermodynamic properties of Ce and Y hydroxyl and chloride species. The updated standard partial molal Gibbs energies of formation (Δ f G 0 T,P ) are used within the experimental temperature and pressure range to accurately predict the CePO 4 and YPO 4 solubility and Ce and Y speciation behavior. Based on the updated thermodynamic properties we also provide formation constants (log β n Cl,OH ) for Ce and Y hydroxyl and chloride species. Updated thermodynamic properties are applied to model REE-apatite dissolution and REE mobility based on the Pea Ridge iron oxide apatite deposit in Missouri, USA. The apatite dissolution model replicates natural observations including the replacement of monazite and xenotime after apatite and is an example of the utility of the new thermodynamic constants applied to supercritical crustal fluids. Furthermore, the findings of this study advance the predictive capabilities of geochemical models, our understanding of the behavior of individual REE, and permit modeling the overarching fractionation trends between LREE and HREE in supercritical crustal fluids.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗