Nitrate cancrinite: Synthesis, characterization, and determination of the enthalpy of formation

Qingyuan Liu, Hongwu Xu, Alexandra Navrotsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nitrate cancrinite, with an ideal formula of Na8[Al 6Si6O24](NO3)2 • 4H2O, is an important constituent of high-level nuclear wastes at several US Department of Energy (DOE) storage sites. A simple synthesis route for this material is described. Pure nitrate cancrinite has been prepared using a mixed solution of sodium silicate, sodium aluminate, sodium nitrate, and sodium hydroxide. Crystallization took place rapidly at 90 °C and the cancrinite phase emerged within a few hours of aging. Both X-ray diffraction and composition analyses indicated the formation of pure nitrate cancrinite. Solution calorimetric measurements of this material were performed with a Calvet-type calorimeter operated at 701 °C using molten lead borate (2PbO • B2O3) as the solvent. Enthalpies of formation from the constituent oxides and from the elements are -903.3 ± 15.7 kJ/mol and -14,258.3 ± 17.3 kJ/mol, respectively, for a sample with the analyzed formula of Na7.282[Al5.854Si6.146O 24](NO3)1.336(CO3)0.046 • 3.365H2O.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)146-152
Number of pages7
JournalMicroporous and Mesoporous Materials
Volume87
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 27 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Enthalpy of formation
  • Nitrate cancrinite
  • Nuclear waste
  • Synthesis
  • Thermodynamics
  • Zeolite

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials

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