Sonochemical decontamination of magnesium and magnesium-zirconium alloys in mild conditions

UNGG cladding nuclear wastes constitute a huge volume of Mg-based materials that raises economic and safety concerns, particularly due to their radioactivity coupled the potential generation H2 gas under deep underground disposal. Their significant decontamination would result in more secure less expensive storage, with better containment separated long-lived radioisotopes could enter classical channel. Sonication genuine simulants at 345 kHz 0.01 M oxalic acid solution (20 °C) allowed structuring surfaces observation homogeneously distributed craters 20–40 µm diameter. After thorough characterization comparison ultrasound effects generated surface, various samples were artificially contaminated characterized before sonication. The complete rapid sonochemical was then observed, addition removal carbon layer promoting corrosion on inner cladding. extension sonication allows neo-formed brucite (Mg(OH)2) zirconium-based phases accumulate thus contributing slight but continuous surface recontamination process. This phenomenon results from re-adsorption uranyl cations which can be avoided by optimizing duration treatment.