Glass matrices: synthesis and long-term behavior

This teaching unit deals with different aspects related to the synthesis, characterization and long-term behavior of glassy matrices. A first aspect concerning the methodology for studying the long-term behavior of glassy matrices under alteration conditions will be developed by specifying the initial characteristics of the materials, the key phenomena governing their behavior and the adapted predictive models. Then, the leaching and aging phenomena under irradiation of glassy materials will be discussed. These different notions will be supported by a case study on the long-term behavior of nuclear glasses.

Hourly volumes* :

            CM : 12h

            TD : 8h

The objective of this teaching unit is to understand the methodology used to predict the behavior of nuclear glasses in the perspective of long-term conditioning of high activity and long period and to acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the solid/liquid interface and its evolution under conditions of storage in geological formations.

Basic elements in radioactivity

Fuel cycle: from mining to waste management

Continuous control

Methodology for studying long-term behavior 

• Initial characteristics of materials, characteristics and evolution of geological storage (thermal, hydraulic, mechanical and chemical)
• Key phenomena governing the behavior of materials
• Predictive modeling and validation
• Leaching of glassy materials:
• Modes of alteration
• Solid-solution interface (double layer and surface charges, adsorption, hydrolysis, condensation and precipitation phenomena)
• Dissolution kinetics, control by chemical reaction
  • Reaction rate, reaction orders, rate constant and activation energy, solubility product and thermodynamic equilibrium
  • Theory of the transition state. General law of dissolution of minerals
  • Experimental devices for the study of dissolution
• Transport at interfaces (diffusion of aqueous species, porous media)
• Nature and role of alteration products (gel, secondary mineral phases)
• Effect of the main storage parameters on the kinetics: temperature, solution composition, environmental materials... Catalysis, inhibition and adsorption mechanisms
• Aging of glassy materials under self-irradiation
• Case studies: long-term behavior of nuclear glass in geological storage conditions:
• Construction of an envelope model
• Application to the case of R7T7 glasses stored in clay
• Elements of validation: natural and archaeological analogues

Administrative contact(s): Secretariat Master Chemistry

master-chimie @ umontpellier.fr (master-chimie @ umontpellier.fr)