PNNL

Abstract

Uranophane is a rare U(VI) secondary silicate mineral formed in nature by the oxidation of the primary mineral uraninite. It is also relevant to the long-term geochemistry of nuclear waste repositories, where it can be formed under oxidizing conditions and has the potential to act as a secondary barrier to the migration of radionuclides through mineral sorption reactions. A combination of classical molecular dynamics and ab-initio density functional theory (DFT) has been employed to investigate the uranophane|water interface as well as the interfacial reactivity of the U(VI) silicate toward acidic conditions and radionuclide ion sorption. The sorption simulations have been complemented by experimental sorption studies and laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy to help identify the molecular structure of the surface sorbed species. Experimental distances and essential coordination numbers are properly captured by the simulation results within bulk uranophane, while interfacial water is found to orient primarily with the hydrogen-atoms directed towards the negatively charged surface. Sorption sites for water are observed to belong to 3 different groups: (1) those involving uranyl oxygen, (2) involving uranyl and silica hydroxyl oxygen atoms, and (3) involving hydroxyl hydrogen. The pKa of the surface -OH groups have been calculated using a variety of models, including a bond valence approach and utilization of the energetics of deprotonation within DFT. Under basic conditions, deprotonation of the Si-OH groups is likely responsible for uranophane dissolution. Finally, the stability and structure of surface sorbed Eu3+ has been examined, with a stable inner-sphere species being observed.