Effect of neutron and gamma radiations on zeolite and zeotype materials

The influence of gamma and (n, gamma)-radiation on the cation exchange and the structure of zeolite and zeotype materials has been studied. Samples were subjected to different doses of gamma-irradiation varying between 0.5 and 10 MGy and Neutron irradiation flux varied from 1.14 x 10/sup 17/ to 3.88 x /sup 10/sup 17/n cm/sup -2/. Structural effects consequent to gamma irradiation were examined by x-ray diffraction, electron scanning micrographs and FTIR measurements. Neutron and gamma-irradiation and not lead by any appreciable change in the structure, however, the displacement cations to locked-in sites results partial reduced barium and caesium uptake. The decrease of the intensities of the absorption bands of the hydroxy-groups reveals that gamma-irradiation has a strong dehydrating influence. THe effects of gamma-radiation on (UO/sub 2/)/sup 2+/ and Am/sup 3+/ uptake into NH/sub 4/-L and NH/sub 4/-SAPO-34 was also observed. K alpha of the uranyl ions increased with increasing pH up to 6.3. At pH > 3.5, the uranyl ions were precipitated and consequently K alpha values were continued to increased. (author)