Effect of γ-dose on the crystal structure and leaching behavior of TiO2 matrix labeled with 181Hf/181Ta tracer

A new method for the possible incorporation of nuclear wastes has been attempted here by using ceramic matrix of TiO2 as a host precursor for confinement. Hafnium is used as a simulant for actinide high-level waste. After incorporating 181Hf tracer into TiO2 matrix, the leaching property of the resulting matrix was studied in water, sodium chloride and humic acid solutions. The leaching was measured in each of the case by following the radioactivity of 181Hf. TiO2 matrix has also been exposed to γ-radiation in order to simulate the radiation field for nuclear waste. It has been investigated with a nuclear technique called time differential perturbed Angular Correlation (TDPAC) that the lattice structure of titania remains undisturbed even under a strong radiation field. The leaching of 181Hf has also been studied after irradiating the TiO2 matrix with ?-radiation and the leaching behavior was observed not to change from that before irradiation. (author)