Kearney, S.A., Tajuelo Rodriguez, E., Arregui-Mena, J.D. et al. (2 more authors) (2022) Simulation of radiation damage via alpha decay in BFS:PC grouts using 4He2+ ion acceleration. Cement and Concrete Research, 159. 106895. ISSN 0008-8846
Abstract
The impact of alpha radiation on cements used to encapsulate intermediate-level waste (ILW) is not well understood. ILW wastes can contain high levels of alpha-emitting radionuclides, meaning that the grouts used to encapsulate them are exposed to significant ionising radiation. Thus, a damaged region could develop in the grout adjacent to the alpha-emitting species. This work attempted to recreate this behaviour through nonradioactive 4He2+ ion-accelerator experiments, which have not previously been applied to common encapsulation grouts. The influence of this irradiation on a slag-Portland cement was investigated at different ages via transmission electron microscopy energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX) and supporting techniques, to assess whether 4He2+ irradiation caused textural or chemical zonation. No significant changes in hydrate phases or textures were observed, other than minor variations associated with carbonation. This paper provides a proof of concept for using ion acceleration techniques on cements and furthers knowledge on their radiation response.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Portland cement; Blast furnace slag; Alpha irradiation; Ion accelerator; Transmission electron microscopy |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Materials Science and Engineering (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 12 Jul 2022 08:08 |
Last Modified: | 12 Jul 2022 08:08 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier BV |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.cemconres.2022.106895 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:188915 |