Britholite Composed Matrices for Immobilization of REE–Minor Actinide Fraction

Materials based on Ca–REE silicate with an apatite–britholite structure are candidate matrices for isolating the REE–actinide fraction of nuclear fuel reprocessing waste. Britholite has a simple composition and high capacity for REEs and actinides; it is stable in hot solutions. Leaching rates of REEs (actinide simulants) by water and brine are 10–7–10–9 g/(cm2 day). Literature data on the properties of ceramics and glass-ceramics containing britholite are analyzed, including composition, behavior in solutions and under irradiation, information on natural mineral analogs, and methods for the industrial production of britholite matrices for immobilization of the REE–actinide fraction.