SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, AND PROPERTIES OF ZIRCONIUM TRIVALENT METAL (AL, FE) PHOSPHATES

Zr0.25Zr2-xMx(PO4)(3) and Na1+xZr2-xMx(PO4)(3) (M = Al, Fe; 0 less tha n or equal to x less than or equal to 2) solid solutions with the NaZr 2(PO4)(3) structure were prepared by the sol-gel method and ceramic pr ocessing and characterized by x-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. T he Fe-containing materials with x greater than or equal to 0.5 showed partial melting on heating to 1100 degrees C. The rate of sodium leach ing from Na1.3Zr1.7M0.3(PO4)(3) ceramic samples was tested in water co rrosion tests at 25 degrees C for 7 days and 200 degrees C for 3 days. At the end of the tests, the leaching rate was 10(-4) g/(cm(2) day). The phosphates studied are possible candidates for use in disposal of various types of waste, first of all nuclear waste.