Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Fuel Reprocessing”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10

Complete NO and NO 2 Aging Study for AgZ (Milestone Report)

In an off-gas system within a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant, any capture material will be exposed to a gas stream for months at a time. This gas stream may be at elevated temperature and could contain water, NO x gas, or a variety of other constituents that comprise the off-gas stream. For this reason, it is important to understand the effects of long-term exposure, or aging, on proposed capture materials. One material under consideration is silver-exchanged mordenite (AgZ). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of extended exposure at 150°C to an air stream containing NO on the iodine capture capacity of the hydrogen reduced form of AgZ designated as Ag 0 Z. The study was originally also intended to expand on the static NO 2 aging studies by exposing Ag 0 Z to a flowing stream of NO 2 for an extended period of time, but those tests were delayed due to NO 2 production schedules by the gas vendor. Unreduced silver mordenite has a loading capacity of approximately 25 mg I/g AgZ and that capacity is increased to 100 mg I/g Ag 0 Z upon reduction. It appears that extended exposure of AgZ to 1% NO at 150°C may not only neutralize the increased capacity gained by reduction, but perhaps degrade the sorbent even further. Loss of 80% of sorbent capacity and surface area was observed after 8 weeks of exposure to a 1% NO stream at 150°C. Investigations continue into the effects of aging by off-gas components on iodine sorbents. Future work will age silver mordenite with streams containing NO 2 . As the simulated off-gas streams become more complex and more corrosive, the ability of AgZ to withstand conditions present in off-gas streams will be more fully known.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Treatment of Foreign Radioactive Waste at the BELGOPROCESS Plant - 19345

Belgium has used a large number of nuclear technologies during the last 60 years. Power generation, reprocessing, fuel fabrication, isotope production and research activities have produced a large variety of radioactive waste streams. BELGOPROCESS is the operator of the centralised waste treatment facilities located in the Campine region in Flanders. Over the years BELGOPROCESS has developed the know-how and facilities to treat each one of these waste streams. BELGOPROCESS is a subsidiary of NIRAS, the governmental institution responsible for the safe management of radioactive waste and enriched fissile materials in Belgium. A number of these waste streams are only produced during a short period of time. After processing the existing stockpile the treatment facility is put into operational standby and eventually prepared for decommissioning. In order to treat the stockpile of some types of legacy waste within an acceptable time frame, the treatment facilities needed to be designed at a certain treatment capacity. Since the majority of the legacy waste is processed nowadays, a significant amount of treatment capacity becomes available. In June 2006 the Belgian government decided that this know-how and facilities should become available to foreign waste producers. This would allow BELGOPROCESS to fill up the available capacity of its facilities and consequently lower the cost for the Belgian waste producers. Nowadays two facilities are open to accept foreign radioactive waste. The CILVA-facility can be used for sorting, cutting, incineration, precompaction, supercompaction and cementation of low level solid waste. The PAMELA-facility - a former vitrification plant - can be used for the treatment of medium level and alpha-bearing waste. In this paper we will discuss the technical characteristics of the CILVA-incinerator and a showcase for the treatment of foreign waste at our facilities. In 2016 BELGOPROCESS started a cooperation with MATE-FIN for the incineration of low level burnable waste from the Cernavoda NPP in Romania. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Complete Phase I Tests As Described in the Multi-lab Test Plan for the Evaluation of CH3I Adsorption on AgZ

Silver-exchanged mordenite (AgZ) has been identified as a potential sorbent for iodine present in the off-gas streams of a used nuclear fuel reprocessing facility. In such a facility, both elemental and organic forms of iodine are released from the dissolver in gaseous form. These species of iodine must be captured with high efficiency for a facility to avoid radioactive iodine release above regulatory limits in the gaseous effluent of the plant. Studies completed at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) examined the adsorption of organic iodine in the form of CH3I by AgZ. Upon breakthrough of the feed gas through the sorbent bed, elemental iodine was observed in the effluent stream, despite the fact that the only source of iodine in the system was the CH3I in the feed gas.1 This behavior does not appear to have been reported previously nor has it been independently confirmed. Thus, as a result of these prior studies, multiple knowledge gaps relating to the adsorption of CH3I by AgZ were identified, and a multi-lab test plan, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), INL, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Sandia National Laboratories, was formulated to address each in a systematic way.2 For this report, the scope of work for ORNL was further narrowed to three thin-bed experiments that would characterize CH3I adsorption onto AgZ in the presence of water, NO, and NO2. Completion of these three-thin bed experiments demonstrated that organic iodine in the form of CH3I was adsorbed by reduced silver mordenite (Ag0Z) to a 50% higher loading than that of I2 when adsorbed from a dry air stream. Adsorption curves suggest different adsorption mechanisms for I2 and CH3I. In the presence of NO and NO2 gas, the loading of CH3I onto Ag0Z is suppressed and may be reversible. Further, the presence of NO and NO2 gas appears to oxidize CH3I to I2; this is indicated by an adsorption curve similar to that of I2 on Ag0Z. Finally, the loss of organic iodine loading capacity by Ag0Z in the presence of NOx is unaffected by the addition of water vapor to the gas stream; no marked additional loss in capacity or retention was observed.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Non-Ideality in Solvent Extraction Systems: PNNL FY 2014 Status Report

The overall objective of this project is to develop predictive modeling capabilities for advanced fuel cycle separation processes by gaining a fundamental quantitative understanding of non-ideality effects and speciation in relevant aqueous and organic solutions. Aqueous solutions containing actinides and lanthanides encountered during nuclear fuel reprocessing have high ionic strength and do not behave as ideal solutions. Activity coefficients must be calculated to take into account the deviation from ideality and predict their behavior. In FY 2012-2013, a convenient method for determining activity effects in aqueous electrolyte solutions was developed. Our initial experiments demonstrated that water activity and osmotic coefficients of the electrolyte solutions can be accurately measured by the combination of two techniques, a Water Activity Meter and Vapor Pressure Osmometry (VPO). The water activity measurements have been conducted for binary lanthanide solutions in wide concentration range for all lanthanides (La-Lu with the exception of Pm). The osmotic coefficients and Pitzer parameters for each binary system were obtained by the least squares fitting of the water activity data. However, application of Pitzer model for the quantitative evaluation of the activity effects in the multicomponent mixtures is difficult due to the large number of the required interaction parameters. In FY 2014, the applicability of the Bromley model for the determination of the Ln(NO 3 ) 3 activity coefficients was evaluated. The new Bromley parameters for the binary Ln(NO 3 ) 3 electrolytes were obtained based on the available literature and our experimental data. This allowed for the accurate prediction of the Ln(NO 3 ) 3 activity coefficients for the binary Ln(NO 3 ) 3 electrolytes. This model was then successfully implemented for the determination of the Ln(NO 3 ) 3 activity coefficients in the ternary Nd(NO 3 ) 3 /HNO 3 /H2O, Eu(NO 3 ) 3 /HNO 3 /H 2 O, and Eu(NO 3 ) 3 /NaNO 3 /H 2 O systems. The main achievement of this work is the verified pathway for the estimation of the activity coefficients in the multicomponent aqueous electrolyte systems. The accurate Bromley electrolytes contributions obtained in this work for the entire series of lanthanide(III) nitrates (except Pm) can be applied for predicting activity coefficients and non-ideality effects for multi-component systems containing these species. This work also provides the proof-of-principle of extending the model to more complex multicomponent systems. Moreover, this approach can also be applied to actinide-containing electrolyte systems, for determination of the activity coefficients in concentrated radioactive solutions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Phase 1 Methyl Iodide Deep-Bed Adsorption Tests

Nuclear fission results in the production of fission products (FPs) and activation products including iodine-129, which could evolve into used fuel reprocessing facility off-gas systems, and could require off-gas control to limit air emissions to levels within acceptable emission limits. Research, demonstrations, and some reprocessing plant experience have indicated that diatomic iodine can be captured with efficiencies high enough to meet regulatory requirements. Research on the capture of organic iodides has also been performed, but to a lesser extent [Jubin 2012b]. Several questions remain open regarding the capture of iodine bound in organic compounds. Deep-bed methyl iodide adsorption testing has progressed according to a multi-laboratory methyl iodide adsorption test plan. This report summarizes the first phase of methyl iodide adsorption work performed according to this test plan using the deep-bed iodine adsorption test system at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), performed during Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 and early FY-2014. Testing has been performed to address questions posed in the test plan, and followed the testing outline in the test plan. Tests established detection limits, developed procedures for sample analysis with minimal analytical interferences, and confirmed earlier results that show that the methyl iodide reacts when in contact with the AgZ sorbent, and not significantly in the gas flow upstream of the sorbent. The reaction(s) enable separation of the iodine from the organic moiety, so that the iodine can chemisorb onto the sorbent. The organic moiety can form other compounds, some of which are organic compounds that are detected and can be tentatively identified using GC-FID and GCMS. Test results also show that other gas constituents (NOx and/or H2O) can affect the methyl iodide reactions. With NOx and H2O present in the gas stream, the majority of uncaptured iodine exiting iodine-laden sorbent beds is in the form of I2 or HI, species that are soluble in NaOH scrubbing solution for iodine analysis. But when NOx and H2O are not present, then the majority of the uncaptured iodine exiting iodine-laden sorbent is in the form of methyl iodide. Methyl iodide adsorption efficiencies have been high enough so that initial DFs exceed 1,000 to 10,000. The methyl iodide mass transfer zone depths are estimated at 4-8 inches, possibly deeper than mass transfer zone depths estimated for I2 adsorption on AgZ. Additional deep-bed testing and analyses are recommended to (a) expand the data base for methyl iodide adsorption under various conditions specified in the methyl iodide test plan, and (b) provide more data for evaluating organic iodide reactions and reaction byproducts for different potential adsorption conditions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Rare Earth and Transition Metal Containing Glasses

Transition metal (TM) and rare earth (RE) ions have been incorporated into many glass systems such as silicate, phosphate, and borosilicate-based oxide glasses, as well as in halide and chalcogenide glasses, that find applications ranging from optical, photonic, and magnetic devices, solid-state battery, to nuclear waste disposal. Understanding the structural role of RE and TM in these glasses can help to develop glass compositions for targeted applications with either high-optical emission efficiency, electrical conductivity, or chemical durability. In this chapter, we first provide a general introduction of the applications and structural features of RE and TM in glasses, then the critical aspects of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of these glasses such as interatomic potentials, structural analysis tools to study RE and TM ions in glasses and their clustering behaviors, Quantitative Structure–Property Analysis (QSPR), diffusion and dynamic property calculations, and electronic structure calculations to understand electronic defects such as charge trapping and radiation effects are introduced. Three representative case studies are presented: the first one is on MD simulations of erbium- and europium-doped silica and silicate glasses, as well as cerium doped aluminophosphate glasses, that revealed the effect of glass composition on RE ion local structure and clustering behavior. Electronic structure calculations of cerium-doped glass show how the existence of multioxidation states help to mediate radiation-induced damages caused by excited electron–hole pairs was also discussed. The second one focuses on alkali vanadophosphate glasses where the existence of two vanadium oxidation states help to provide electronic conduction in the glasses while alkali ions provide ionic conduction. MD simulations were used to understand vanadium environments and other structural aspects in the phosphate glasses, as well as the ionic transport behaviors of alkali ions. The third case study is on zirconium-containing borosilicate and aluminosilicate glasses that find wide applications in nuclear waste disposal. MD simulations help to provide structural details of zirconium ions that are validated by diffraction and EXAFS spectra. The structural information was used to interpret changes of mechanical properties and chemical durability by using QSPR and other analyses-based MD-generated structure models.

Du, Jincheng↗

Adsorption of iodine on hydrogen-reduced silver-exchanged mordenite: Experiments and modeling

The adsorption process of iodine, a major volatile radionuclide in the off-gas streams of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, on hydrogen-reduced silver-exchanged mordenite (Ag 0 Z) was studied at the micro-scale. The gas-solid mass transfer and reaction involved in the adsorption process were investigated and evaluated with appropriate models. Optimal conditions for reducing the silver-exchanged mordenite (AgZ) in a hydrogen stream were determined. Kinetic and equilibrium data of iodine adsorption on Ag 0 Z were obtained by performing single-layer adsorption experiments with experimental systems of high precision at 373–473 K over various iodine concentrations. Results indicate approximately 91% to 97% of the iodine adsorption was through the silver-iodine reaction. The effect of temperature on the iodine loading capacity of Ag 0 Z was discussed. In conclusion, the Shrinking Core model describes the data well, and the primary rate controlling mechanisms were macro-pore diffusion and silver-iodine reaction. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2016

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Evaluation of Iron‐Phosphate Glass–Ceramic Waste Form for Electrorefiner Salt Waste Simulant Dechlorinated With Phosphoric Acid

The importance of glass and glass–ceramic nuclear waste forms has been reaffirmed in recent years by the growing interest in nuclear power as a reliable energy source. Determination of processing methods for the disposal of halide-containing wastes will be essential for the advancement of nuclear technologies such as non-aqueous fuel reprocessing. Phosphate-based dechlorination and subsequent vitrification of radioactive salt waste into an iron-phosphate waste form have been identified as a potential processing scheme for electrochemical processing waste. The impact of H 3 PO 4 -based dechlorination of complex salt mixtures on the vitrification process and structure of the final iron-phosphate waste form has not yet been investigated. In this work, iron-phosphate glass–ceramics were made from simulant salt waste (48LiCl–33KCl–19NaCl mol%) dechlorinated with the H3PO4-based method. The glass-forming region was compared to that of traditionally prepared Na 2 O–Fe 2 O 3 –P 2 O 5 systems. For a candidate glass-forming composition, the processing scheme presented here was determined to favor Fe 3+ species. The O/P molar ratio was consistent for the candidate composition when dechlorinated at 400°C and 600°C in air and argon environments, indicating glass network connectivity was maintained despite variations in processing parameters. The results presented here validate processing schemes requiring iron-phosphate waste form synthesis following H 3 PO 4 -based dechlorination.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Synthesis and Characterization of Non-Aqueous [Tc X M-PW11O39] n – with M = O, N: Comparing Tc V and Tc VI in Metal Oxide Matrices

Technetium-99, a prevalent by-product of the nuclear fuel cycle, is a transition metal with 9 accessible oxidation states and a half-life of 2.1 × 10 5 years. 99 Tc VII has been found in the environment surrounding National Lab sites and fuel reprocessing centers, and its separation and long-term storage is complicated by its extensive redox chemistry. In our prior work we have reported the synthesis and reduction of Tc V O to Tc IV O in α 1- and α 2 -Wells–Dawson P 2 W 17 O 61 10- polyoxometalates and reported on the polyoxometalate features that promote reduction and stabilization. In this work we report on the oxidation state stabilization of Tc V O, Tc VI O and Tc VI N within the α-Keggin PW 11 O 39 7- polyoxometalate. Both Density Functional Theory and experimental results show that Tc in TBA 4 [Tc VI N-PW 11 O 39 ] can be reduced to TcV, but any subsequent electrons reduce the tungsten framework of the polyoxometalate. TBA 4 [Tc V O-PW 11 O 39 ] however, can be theoretically reduced down to Tc(I) before reduction of the polyoxometalate occurs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effects of moisture and aging upon decomposition of methyl iodide by reduced silver mordenite

Abstract Reduced silver mordenite has been considered as a sorbent for the capture of organic iodides, especially methyl iodide, from off-gases produced by aqueous used nuclear fuel reprocessing operations. The adsorption capacity of this material has been unpredictable especially when NO x and water are present. Previous work has found that a catalytic decomposition reaction is occurring on the surface but few determinations have been made of the kinetics of this reaction. The work presented tested the adsorption behavior and apparent catalytic reaction rate in humid conditions and compared those to dry conditions testing. Both experiments observed a first order reaction with rate constants of 0.0847 L/g sorbent/s and 0.1202 L/g sorbent/s respectively. Such a reduction in apparent rate constant is possibly due to either water obstructing methyl iodide adsorption or product desorption limitation. Changes in the adsorption profile were also apparent between these two, with the humid conditions experiment reaching saturation sooner than the dry conditions experiment. Additionally, an experiment into the effects of sorbent storage in a controlled laboratory environment was performed. The performance of the sorbent materials that were stored with silver in the zerovalent state was slightly inferior to those materials that were stored in ionic form (Ag + ) and reduced to zerovalent silver immediately prior to subjecting them to sorption test. The materials stored with silver in the ionic form (and reduced just prior to application) behaved essentially similarly to the freshly synthesized (and reduced) sorbents in the sorption tests. This suggests that zerovalent silver experiences some oxidation resulting in deactivation of some sites.

Goettsche, Heinrik↗

Crystal Structure Evolution of UCl 3 from Room Temperature to Melting

We report uranium trichloride (UCl 3 ) is actively researched to develop and improve applications ranging from molten salt reactors to actinide processing, including spent fuel reprocessing. Here, we report for the first time the crystal structure evolution between room temperature and melting point from in situ high-temperature neutron diffraction to quantify, for example, the thermal expansion of the hexagonal a and c lattice parameters. The results are compared with density functional theory calculations. The melting point of UCl 3 is determined by differential scanning calorimetry to be 1108.2 ± 0.2 K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Optimizing iodine adsorption in functionalized metal-organic frameworks via an unprecedented positional isomerism strategy

Porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as highly promising adsorbents for capturing radioiodine, a predominant fission product released during nuclear fuel reprocessing. However, systematic investigations into the correlation between MOF structure and iodine uptake capacity remain scarce. Here, we present a novel approach to enhance the iodine adsorption capacity of MOFs by optimizing linker functionalization. Using ligand-functionalized thorium-based MOFs as a structural platform, we demonstrate that ortho-amino-substitution near the node of the dicarboxylate linker significantly increases iodine adsorption capacity compared to meta-amino-substitution, where the amino groups are directed away from the node. Specifically, ortho-substituted Th-UiO-68-3,3”-(NH 2 ) 2 exhibits higher iodine uptake capacities than the meta-substituted Th-UiO-68-2,2”-(NH 2 ) 2 via both vapor diffusion-based (2.042 vs. 1.087 g/g) and solution-based (0.841 vs. 0.784 g/g) processes. Notably, the I 2 vapor adsorption capacity (2.042 g/g) of Th-UiO-68-3,3”-(NH 2 ) 2 represents the second highest among all reported Th-MOFs. Pair distribution function (PDF) studies reveal that the superior iodine uptake performance of ortho-functionalized MOFs can be attributed to the reduced steric hindrance of the amino groups compared with the meta-substituted variants. Finally, this research highlights how positional isomerism and its subtle alterations can significantly influence host–guest interactions, extending beyond simple structural considerations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Radioxenon spiked air

Four of the radioactive xenon isotopes ( 131m Xe, 133m Xe, 133 Xe and 135 Xe) with half-lives ranging from 9 h to 12 days are produced from nuclear fission and can be detected from days to weeks following their production and release. Being inert gases, they are readily transported through the atmosphere. Sources for release of radioactive xenon isotopes include operating nuclear reactors via leaks in fuel rods, medical isotope production facilities, and nuclear weapons' detonations. They are not normally released from fuel reprocessing due to the short half-lives. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty has led to creation of the International Monitoring System. The International Monitoring System, when fully implemented, will consist of one component with 40 stations monitoring radioactive xenon around the globe. Monitoring these radioactive xenon isotopes is important to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in determining whether a seismically detected event is or is not a nuclear detonation. A variety of radioactive xenon quality control check standards, quantitatively spiked into various gas matrices, could be used to demonstrate that these stations are operating on the same basis in order to bolster defensibility of data across the International Monitoring System. This study focuses on Idaho National Laboratory's capability to produce three of the xenon isotopes in pure form and the use of the four xenon isotopes in various combinations to produce radioactive xenon spiked air samples that could be subsequently distributed to participating facilities.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantifying fission gas adsorption onto natural clinoptilolite in the presence of environmental air and water

Adsorption of noble gas fission products onto naturally occurring minerals is of interest for its potential to retain or retard emissions from nuclear fuel reprocessing operations or underground nuclear explosions. However, experimental studies of trace noble gas adsorption in the presence of air and water have largely focused on synthetic materials, such as activated carbon or metal-organic frameworks. Here, in this study, adsorption of Kr and Xe onto the naturally occurring zeolitic mineral clinoptilolite is studied in the presence of nitrogen and water. By varying the composition of the gas phase and monitoring the change in the combined adsorbate mass, the adsorbed concentration of noble gas is calculated gravimetrically. For dry clinoptilolite, the concentration of adsorbed Kr and Xe is linearly correlated with noble gas pressure and Henry's Law appears satisfactory, despite the presence of nitrogen at atmospheric pressures. However, the presence of water significantly reduces the adsorbed concentration of both Kr and Xe, which is typical in nanoporous sorbents. Here, an empirical bivariate model is presented, combining the Henry's Law adsorption model for a dry adsorbent with the exponential reduction in the presence of water, as reported by Lungu and Underhill in 1999. This model provides a means to estimate the adsorbate concentration at the trace partial pressures and higher water contents relevant to field-scale modeling of fission gas transport through the vadose zone.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Dehalogenation of electrochemical processing salt simulants with ammonium phosphates and immobilization of salt cations in an iron phosphate glass waste form

This study demonstrates the conversion of simulated pyroprocessing salt wastes [i.e., ER(SF) and ERV2] into chemically durable iron phosphate glass waste forms through reactions with ammonium hydrogen phosphate precursors [i.e., NH4H2PO4 and (NH4)2HPO4] and added Fe2O3. The reaction of the salt simulants with the phosphate precursors resulted in dehalogenation of the salt through the production of NH4Cl and NH4I (along with water), of which the NH4Cl can be used to produce UCl3 oxidant for use in the electrorefiner during pyroprocessing. These iron phosphate glasses contain a notably higher waste loading than the baseline glass-bonded sodalite ceramic waste form, which requires about 70 vol% sodalite to accommodate Cl from the salt, because they are dehalogenated prior to vitrification. The high waste loadings coupled with higher bulk densities (~3×103 kg/m3) than glass-bonded sodalite (~2.3×103 kg/m3) mean that these glasses have a higher storage volume, i.e., the volume required to immobilize a given mass of waste. The iron phosphate glass waste forms were characterized using a variety of techniques including physical property measurements and chemical durability testing. Following initial testing, a proof-of-concept demonstration was conducted to show that the NH4Cl generated from this process could be used to produce UCl3 using depleted uranium dendrites as a feedstock.

phosphate glass, pyroprocessing, waste forms, salt↗

Iodine detection in Ag-mordenite based sensors: Charge conduction pathway determinations

Detection of radiological iodine gas after nuclear accidents or in nuclear fuel reprocessing is necessary for the safety of human life and the environment. The development of sensors for the detection of iodine benefits from the incorporation of nanoporous materials with high selectivity for I 2 from common competing gases in air. Silver mordenite zeolite (Ag-MOR) is widely-used material for capture of gaseous iodine (I 2 ). In this paper, thin film zeolite coatings were applied to Pt interdigitated electrodes (IEDs) to fabricate iodine gas sensors with direct electrical readout responses. Correlations between occluded ion, exposure to iodine gas, resultant AgI nanoparticle polymorphs and location in zeolite with resultant impedance spectroscopy (IS) properties are described. Furthermore, IS is leveraged to elucidate the changes in charge conduction pathways as determined by the cation-zeolite film incorporated in the sensor. Silver mordenite reveals a significant change in impedance upon exposure to gaseous I 2 at 70 °C, and the magnitude and direction of the response is dependent on whether the Ag + -mordenite is reduced (Ag 0 ) before I 2 exposure. An equivalent circuit model is developed to describe the movement of charge along the surface and through the pores of the mordenite grains. Relative changes in the impedance of these conduction pathways are related to the chemical changes from Ag + or Ag 0 to resultant AgI polymorph phase. Lastly, together, these results inform design of a compact Ag-mordenite sensor for direct electrical detection of gaseous I 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗