Structural transformation of zinc in metakaolin-based potassium-geopolymer as revealed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Prihutami, P.*; Toda, Kanako*; Chaerun, R. I.; Oya, Yusuke*; Kikuchi, Ryosuke*; Otake, Tsubasa*; Sato, Tsutomu*; Saito, Takumi*

Applied Clay Science, 292, p.108330_1 - 108330_9, 2026/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2026.108330

Limited understanding of zinc (Zn) immobilization in altered geopolymers limits prediction of waste-form durability. This study examined the local structure and retention mechanism of Zn in a metakaolin-based potassium geopolymer by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Zn-bearing samples were prepared from metakaolin, zinc chloride (ZnCl) solution, potassium silicate, and potassium hydroxide, cured at 40C and 25C for 48 h, and leached in deionized water for up to 90 days. Zn release was only 0.14%, with limited Al, Si, and Cl release. The main geopolymer framework was preserved after leaching. XAS showed that Zn was initially tetrahedrally coordinated with oxygen and linked to Si or Al tetrahedra. After leaching, Zn changed to octahedral coordination and formed a brucite-like Al-bearing co-precipitate, indicating strong Zn retention despite local structural alteration.

Reconsideration of numerical model for hydrogen thermal desorption spectra of iron with hydrogen-enhanced strain-induced vacancies

Ebihara, Kenichi; Yamaguchi, Masatake; Itakura, Mitsuhiro

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 57(4), p.1480 - 1489, 2026/04

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-026-08146-7

Hydrogen (H) embrittlement is an important issue for steel. The experimental thermal desorption spectra of H from an iron sample containing H-enhanced strain-induced vacancies (Vs) were successfully reproduced by revising a previous numerical model. In the revised model, we adopted concentration variables for Vs and V clusters, which are distinguished by the number of trapped H atoms. This revision eliminated the assumption of V and V cluster migration, required in the original model. Simulation results of the revised model revealed that the spike-like desorption on the peak attributed to Vs and V clusters in the spectra simulated by the original model was an artifact caused by the assumption. In addition, it was suggested that V clusters can exist other than Vs in the specimens after deformation with H charging. It is considered that the revised model is a useful framework for studying Vs and V clusters under H-affected conditions.

Sorption behavior of alpha-ray emitting nuclides on concrete in contact with radioactive contaminated water

Aihara, Haruka; Hinai, Hiroshi; Shibata, Atsuhiro; Tomita, Sayuri*; Koma, Yoshikazu

Progress in Nuclear Science and Technology (Internet), 8, p.324 - 328, 2025/09

https://doi.org/10.15669/pnst.8.324

Pu and Am contained in the contaminated water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is concerned to contaminate inside the buildings concrete. To understand or estimate the state of contamination, investigation on contamination mechanisms have become quite important. Therefore, the distribution ratio of Pu and Am to cement paste and aggregates was obtained by experiments. Cement paste and aggregate were immersed in Pu and Am solution to obtain distribution ratio. Those of Pu and Am to cement paste was high values, suggesting that they have sorbed and accumulated in the building concrete.

Germanene reformation from oxidized germanene on Ag(111)/Ge(111) by vacuum annealing

Suzuki, Seiya; Katsube, Daiki*; Yano, Masahiro; Tsuda, Yasutaka; Terasawa, Tomoo; Ozawa, Takahiro*; Fukutani, Katsuyuki; Kim, Y.*; Asaoka, Hidehito; Yuhara, Junji*; et al.

Small Methods, 9(3), p.2400863_1 - 2400863_9, 2025/03

https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202400863

Updating fission product chemistry database based on recent investigation in Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 2; Temperature effects on the deposition behavior of CsOH aerosols on concrete main phase-CaCO

Luu, V. N.; Nakajima, Kunihisa; Rizaal, M.; Miwa, Shuhei

Proceedings of International Topical Workshop on Fukushima Decommissioning Research 2024 (FDR2024) (Internet), 4 Pages, 2024/10

Trivalent lanthanide sorption onto illite in the presence of carbonate; A Study combining thermodynamic sorption modeling, time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy, and parallel factor analysis

Sugiura, Yuki; Ishidera, Takamitsu; Aoyagi, Noboru; Mei, H.; Saito, Takumi*; Tachi, Yukio

Applied Clay Science, 258, p.107476_1 - 107476_10, 2024/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2024.107476

Development of zeolite column adsorption dynamics simulation code (ZAC)

Yamagishi, Isao; Hato, Shinji*; Nishihara, Kenji; Tsubata, Yasuhiro; Sagawa, Yusuke*

JAEA-Data/Code 2024-002, 63 Pages, 2024/07

JAEA-Data-Code-2024-002.pdf:2.91MB
JAEA-Data-Code-2024-002-appendix(CD-ROM).zip:9.42MB

Adsorption columns filled with zeolite are used to treat contaminated water containing radioactive cesium generated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident. As the contaminated water treatment progresses, the radioactive cesium in the adsorption column becomes highly concentrated, and the adsorption column becomes a high radiation source. To evaluate the radiation effects such as decay heat and radiolytic hydrogen production in the adsorption column, the concentration of radioactive cesium in the adsorption column is necessary, but since it is difficult to evaluate the concentration by measurement, it is estimated by simulation. In this research, a zeolite column adsorption dynamics simulation (Zeolite Adsorption Column: ZAC) code was developed to calculate the concentration of radioactive materials such as radioactive cesium in a zeolite filled adsorption column when they are injected into the column. The code was validated through comparison of calculation results with existing codes and experimental results of small column tests. This report presents the details of the model, the handling of the code, and the validity of the results for the developed code.

Cohesive/Adhesive strengths of CsOH-chemisorbed SS304 surfaces

Li, N.*; Sun, Y.*; Nakajima, Kunihisa; Kurosaki, Ken*

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 61(3), p.343 - 353, 2024/03

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2023.2231447

During the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (1F) accident, an overwhelming amount of the cesium remaining in the pressure vessel could have been deposited onto 304 stainless steel (SS304) steam separators and dryers, both with large surface areas. During 1F's decommissioning, the deposited cesium is a safety hazard as it can generate radioactive dust. However, the cohesive and adhesive strengths of CsOH-chemisorbed oxide scales are yet to be defined. In this study, we investigated how CsOH-chemisorption affects the cohesive and adhesive strengths between oxide scales and SS304 substrates with a scratch tester. The scratch test results revealed that the cohesive strengths of the oxide scales decreased after CsOH-chemisorption, while adhesive failure could not be reached.

Pore connectivity influences mass transport in natural rocks; Pore structure, gas diffusion and batch sorption studies

Yuan, X.*; Hu, Q.*; Lin, X.*; Zhao, C.*; Wang, Q.*; Tachi, Yukio; Fukatsu, Yuta; Hamamoto, Shoichiro*; Siitari-Kauppi, M.*; Li, X.*

Journal of Hydrology, 618, p.129172_1 - 129172_15, 2023/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.129172

Selective adsorption of Pd(II) over Ag(I) in nitric acid solutions using nitrogen-donor-type adsorbents

Suzuki, Tomoya*; Otsubo, Ukyo*; Ogata, Takeshi*; Shiwaku, Hideaki; Kobayashi, Toru; Yaita, Tsuyoshi; Matsuoka, Mitsuaki*; Murayama, Norihiro*; Narita, Hirokazu*

Separation and Purification Technology, 308, p.122943_1 - 122943_7, 2023/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122943

HNO leaching is used in recycling Pd metal from spent products that primarily contain Ag, and most Pd residues are separated from solutions containing Ag(I). However, a small amount of Pd(II) often remains in these Ag(I) solutions. Therefore, the separation of Pd(II) and Ag(I) in HNO solutions is essential to promote efficient Pd recycling. In this study, the separation of Pd(II) and Ag(I) in HNO solutions was investigated using four N-donor-type adsorbents functionalized with amine (R-Amine), iminodiacetic acid (R-IDA), pyridine (R-Py), or bis-picolylamine (R-BPA). R-Amine, R-IDA, and R-Py selectively adsorbed Pd(II) over Ag(I), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Fe(III) from HNO solutions (0.3-7 M), but R-Amine exhibited a lower Pd adsorption efficiency. In contrast, 90% of Pd(II), Ag(I), and Cu(II) were adsorbed by R-BPA over the entire range of HNO concentrations. Structural analyses of the adsorbed metal ions using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy revealed the separation mechanisms of the N-donor-type adsorbents. Pd(II) adsorption on R-IDA, R-Py, and R-BPA occurred via Pd(II) coordination of the functional groups (iminodiacetic acid, pyridine, and bis-picolylamine, respectively), whereas that on R-Amine occurred via anion exchange of NO with [Pd(NO)]. The coordinative adsorption mechanisms resulted in the higher Pd(II) adsorption behaviors of R-IDA, R-Py, and R-BPA. HCl (5.0 M) and thiourea (0.1 M) eluents desorbed 83% of Pd(II) from R-IDA and 95% from R-Py, respectively. R-Py was the most effective Pd(II) adsorbent based on adsorption selectivity and desorption efficiency.