PNNL

Abstract

The increasing reliance on nuclear energy as a significant low-carbon power source necessitates effective solutions for managing radioactive emissions. This study introduces a novel application of MXene nanohybrids, specifically silver-MXene (Ag-Ti3C2Tx), as an effective sorbent for radioiodine gas capture at an operating temperature of 150 °C. Through comprehensive material characterization, including X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, Raman spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and gas sorption analyses, we confirmed the successful loading of Ag nanoparticles onto Ti3C2Tx and the subsequent formation of AgI upon iodine capture. Our results demonstrate that Ag-Ti3C2Tx exhibits superior iodine uptake compared to traditional silver-based sorbents such as silver mordenite zeolite (AgZ) and silver-functionalized silica aerogel (AgAero). The Ag-Ti3C2Tx achieved an iodine loading of 1 g(iodine)/g(sorbent), significantly outperforming AgZ (0.13 g/g). These findings highlight the potential of Ag-Ti3C2Tx as a highly efficient, thermally stable sorbent for radioiodine capture, and potentially addressing key limitations of existing materials.