Sensitivity Enhancing NMR of
Strontium-87 Nuclei in Clays, Zeolites, and Waste Cleanup Technologies
EMSL Project ID
16107
Abstract
Our proposal is to use DFS-QCPMG NMR at 21.14 T to study the binding sites of strontium nuclei in clays, zeolites, and proposed waste remediation technologies. The only stable NMR-active isotope of strontium (87Sr) is a low- spin 9/2 quadrupolar nucleus that exhibits large quadrupolar coupling constants when located in non-symmetric environments, making detection in any system difficult. We were able to establish during preliminary research at the HFMRF facility that DFS-QCPMG at 21.14 T is an effective method for studying strontium bound in clay minerals and zeolites. We used this method to develop an understanding of how quadrupolar parameters relate to the symmetry and coordination environment of strontium nuclei in model organic and inorganic systems. In this proposal, we intend to expand upon our success and study strontium in a variety of model and natural strontium-rich clays and zeolites. By obtaining strontium quadrupolar parameters in clays and zeolites, we can begin to probe the sequestration of strontium in minerals representative of the Hanford vadose zone. We will also use DFS-QCPMG to study proposed strontium remediation methods to elucidate the nature of strontium sequestration in these materials. This will facilitate a comparison of the strontium binding strength between the synthetic sorbate materials and the natural clays. The results of these studies will contribute toward the design of appropriate remediation methods for treating the waste itself as well as exposed soil systems at Hanford and other DOE facilities. This research should generate a number of peer-reviewed publications.
Project Details
Project type
Capability Research
Start Date
2005-12-16
End Date
2006-04-06
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members