Studies on stabilised zirconia as host phase for the fixation of actinides, rare-earths and sodium

Titania, zirconia and alumina based ceramic materials are potential solid w aste forms being assessed to determine their suitability for long term immo bilisation of radionuclides. The preparation, characterisation, solid solub ilities and leachability studies on stabilised zirconia containing actinide s, rare earths and sodium are reported. The range of solid solubilities of cerium, uranium, neodymium, plutonium and sodium was established in stabili sed zirconia. Leaching studies in water and 0.1 M HCl at room temperature a nd 70 degreesC showed very low leachabilities of uranium, plutonium and rar e earths. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserv ed.