Management radioactive nuclear waste (Strontium Hydroxide) by carbon nanotubes prepared by laser ablation

Abstract

In an attempt to find an appropriate method to management nuclear waste to prevent pollution in the environment as a result of leaching ion and thus threatens our environment and our health. In this research the nuclear waste (Strontium hydroxide) was management by immobilization nuclear waste by Carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Carbon nanotubes were produced in simple step by using laser ablation method. To prepare CNTs the Nd-YAG laser were bombing the graphite target in a deionized water was used. The next step adding Sr(HO)2 powder to the CNTs solution with calculations ratio. To get homogenous mixing of CNTs-Sr(OH)2 the solution was putting in the centrifuges. The strontium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to form strontium carbonate so, the new solution is CNTs-SrCO3. To dry the new solution three drops was applied on the glass slides above heater with (60-80) Cο. To investigate the radiation damage on carbon nanotube structure, the sample was irradiation by Beta source (90Sr/90Y) for different period of time (1hour and 720 hour).X-ray diffraction XRD was used to measure structure, properties, while scanning electron microscope SEM was used to measure shape and size. The results revealed a homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles with an average particle size of approximately 20nm. The XRD spectra for all samples before and after irradiation show higher peaks that almost appear at 2 θ = 25 degree. It’s clear that increasing the radiation dose has little effect on the location of the peaks of all samples, implying that the phase of the material did not change.From SEM micrograph, CNTs-SrCO3 were well decorated the surface of CNTs and there was not any remarkable difference in the corresponding due to Beta radiation exposure.