The effect of boron on zeolite-4A immobilization of iodine waste forms with a novel preparation method

Immobilization of radioiodine is a significant requirement for future nuclear fuel development. This research mainly focuses on the production of iodosodalite through a novel preparation method and the effect of boron on zeolite-4A immobilization of iodine waste forms. Through this novel way, the phase mass of iodosodalite can reach to 95.5% at 1050 degrees C and the rest is nepheline. The addition of B2O3 promotes the formation of iodosodalite at a lower sintering temperature and the phase mass of iodosodalite for the sample sintered at 1050 degrees C is 93.7% which is due to part of iodosodalite's transformation into amorphous phase under the addition of B2O3. The existence of amorphous phase is proved by FTIR and SEM results. The EDS analysis reflects that Na, Al, Si, O and I elements are distributed homogeneously on the surface. The leaching rate of iodine proves considerable chemical durability of iodosodalite prepared through this novel method. Our finding provides a novel way to synthesis iodosodalite and is aimed to immobilize iodine waste forms.