Amorphization of a proposed sorbent of strontium, brushite, CaHPO4•2H2O, studied by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy

We present a systematic study of the transformation brushite (dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, CaHPO4•2H2O) under irradiation electrons well-defined energy (2.5 MeV) and flux as function dose. Contrarily to model hydroxides such portlandite brucite, which are very resistant electron radiation damage, studied decomposes quite easily, even for low doses. Irradiated samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) Raman spectroscopy get complementary information about changes in atomic structure chemical composition respectively irradiation. XRD showed that causes limited dilatation unit cell crystalline brushite, becomes progressively amorphous with increasing complemented results confirmed phase was not abrupt, but rather progressive. allowed identification calcium pyrophosphate. Both techniques amorphization fully complete at maximum dose used, 5.5 GGy (4 C). Interestingly, monetite phase, (CaHPO4 dicalcium phosphate), detected any step it is case when thermally decomposed. This reveals high sensitivity both hydrogen bonds protonated units thus facilitating into The damage by energetic be carefully considered applications related use ion-exchanger decontamination effluents polluted strontium-90, an efficient beta ray emitter.