Please view the posters presented at the 19th Annual City Tech Faculty and Student Research Poster Session below. You can click on each poster to enlarge it and view the PDF version under the poster abstract.
We thank all presenters for sharing their innovative and informative research with the City Tech community and beyond!
10-Photoreduction of Tc-99 Pertechnetate to Low-valent Tc(IV) Using Titanium Dioxide
Technetium-99 (99Tc) is a fission product present in large amounts in nuclear waste sites. It has nine oxidation states and long half-life (211,000 yr). Pertechnetate, TcO4- as the most stable form in aerobic environment makes 99Tc challenging to isolate and stabilize during nuclear waste disposal. The immobilization of 99Tc has been achieved via reduction of Tc(VII)O4- to relatively insoluble Tc(IV)O2, which is then immobilized in glass or ceramic. Here, we investigate TiO2 as a photocatalyst to reduce Tc+7 to Tc+4 upon UV irradiation. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy shows reduction to Tc+4 in the solution and on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles up to 90%. We postulate that TiO2 can be a waste form for the incorporation of Tc+4. View or download a PDF version of this poster.
