The Structural Role Of Zn In Nuclear Waste Glasses

Addition of ZnO and CaO to current IK high level nuclear waste (HLW) glass frits is currently under consideration with the aim of improving processing behaviour and acqueous durability. This study was performed in order to better understand the structural role of Zn in model UK HLW glasses and, in particular, the role of Zn as a network modifier, intermediate, or former in such materials. Zinc K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy was applied to simple soda-lime-silicate glasses doped with ZnO and on model inactive UK HLW glasses consisting of simulated Magnox and Blend (25 wt% Magnox + 75 wt% ThORP reprocessing waste) wastes.