Conjugates of magnetic nanoparticle - Actinide specific chelator for radioactive waste separation

Maninder Kaur, Huijin Zhang, Leigh Martin, Terry Todd, You Qiang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

A novel nanotechnology for the separation of radioactive waste that uses magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) conjugated with actinide specific chelators (MNP-Che) is reviewed with a focus on design and process development. The MNP-Che separation process is an effective way of separating heat generating minor actinides (Np, Am, Cm) from spent nuclear fuel solution to reduce the radiological hazard. It utilizes coated MNPs to selectively adsorb the contaminants onto their surfaces, after which the loaded particles are collected using a magnetic field. The MNP-Che conjugates can be recycled by stripping contaminates into a separate, smaller volume of solution, and then become the final waste form for disposal after reusing number of times. Due to the highly selective chelators, this remediation method could be both simple and versatile while allowing the valuable actinides to be recovered and recycled. Key issues standing in the way of large-scale application are stability of the conjugates and their dispersion in solution to maintain their unique properties, especially large surface area, of MNPs. With substantial research progress made on MNPs and their surface functionalization, as well as development of environmentally benign chelators, this method could become very flexible and cost-effective for recycling used fuel. Finally, the development of this nanotechnology is summarized and its future direction is discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11942-11959
Number of pages18
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
Volume47
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 5 2013
Externally publishedYes

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