Advantages

- Since the PB thin film can be used repeatedly to adsorb, concentrate, and release Cs, the volume of radioactive waste (Cs adsorbent) can be reduced.
- Since Cs can be concentrated and released at high concentrations, high-purity Cs can be used for industrial applications.

Current Stage and Key Data

Cs+ was concentrated 1000 times in a PB thin film from a mixture containing 100 times more K+ than Cs+. By repeating this process, high-concentration Cs can be obtained.

Partnaring Model

- We are currently seeking companies that can cooperate in the practical application and development of this technology.
- Potential partners: Manufacturers and distributors of Cs adsorption devices, other adsorption devices, and PB adsorbents. Also, electric power companies, companies working to reduce the volume of radioactively contaminated soil, etc.

Background and Technology

In the event of a nuclear power plant accident, radioactive waste collected during decontamination is separated and incinerated to reduce its volume. After incineration, the cesium-containing ash is washed, and the Cs dissolves in solution. The Cs+ in the solution is absorbed into adsorbents such as zeolite or amorphous carbon and stored in a final disposal site. Although the volume has been reduced in this way, the adsorbents that have adsorbed the Cs that are stored represent a large amount of radioactive waste, and further volume reduction is required.
is known to sorb Cs+ in solution and is used as a Cs sorbent. Methods include using PB nanoparticles to remove radioactive Cs from Cs-dissolved water and forming a thin film of PB and applying a positive or negative potential to it to move Cs+ from solution into and out of the thin film. However, the large amounts of Na+ and K+ present in radioactive waste interfere with the adsorption of Cs+ , making it difficult to effectively adsorb trace amounts of Cs+ using conventional methods.

Principal Investigator

Jun ONOE (Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Tokai National Higher Education and Research System)

Patents and Publications

- PCT patent application filed
- Press release: https://www.jsap.or.jp/pressrelease/pr20250310/lecture-03