Study of Nd3+ Surface Adsorption on Calcite
EMSL Project ID
2481
Abstract
The adsorption of Nd3+ on the calcite (CaCO3) surface will be studied. The impurity sorption properties of calcite have particular importance to waste remediation efforts at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation since calcite has a known affinity for uptake of several trace elements, including Am3+, Ba2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Pb2+, Sr2+, U(VI), Zn2+, and trivalent rare earth elements (REEs) (Zhong and Mucci 1995). Uptake of Nd3+ by calcite is studied because it is close in size to Am3+ and Cm3+ and is believed to exhibit similar uptake behavior. This study will utilize attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy, Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), and grazing angle x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Near infrared (NIR) ATR spectra will be collected using a multiple reflection calcite prism suspended in circumneutral dilute Nd3+ solution with mmol free carbonate ion concentration, providing an in-situ probe of Nd3+ - CaCO3 interactions at the solid-solution interface. Sample composition and a [Nd3+] depth profile will be determined by RBS analysis. Grazing angle XPS will provide surface sensitive spectra that will reveal details of the chemical composition and chemical environment of Nd on the calcite surface.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2002-04-22
End Date
2004-04-26
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator