Synthesis and Structural Characterisation of Yttrium-Doped α-Zirconium Phosphate

There has been a considerable amount of interest in the ion-exchange properties layered zirconium phosphates. Potential applications remediation nuclear waste have renewed these inorganic materials, due to their high stability under acidic conditions typically found legacy pools. It well documented that substitution metals with different ionic radii into frameworks materials can alter chemical including selectivity. The work presented here focusses on synthesis and characterisation yttrium-doped α-zirconium phosphates which are reported for first time. Two synthetic methods were used, reflux hydrothermal syntheses, products characterised by various such as powdered X-ray diffraction, MAS-NMR scanning electron microscopy. was up 15% could be replaced yttrium before any noticeable impurity phases observed. Rietveld refinement from doping showed did not obey Vegard’s law. However, results clearly enhanced capacities selectivity towards Co2+ ions substituted materials.