MBase: The Molecular Basis of Advanced Nuclear Fuel Separations
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
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People |
ORCID iD |
| Colin Boxall (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Bromley M
(2012)
The Nanoporous Metallisation of Insulating Substrates through Photocatalytically Initiated Electroless Deposition (PIED)
in MRS Proceedings
Bromley M
(2010)
Photocatalytic initiation of electroless deposition
in Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry
Bromley M
(2012)
Photocatalytically initiated electroless deposition of macroporous metal films onto insulating substrates
in Electrochemistry Communications
Bromley M
(2013)
The metallisation of insulating substrates with nano-structured metal films of controllable pore dimension
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Bromley M
(2013)
The Nanoporous Metallization of Polymer Membranes through Photocatalytically Initiated Electroless Deposition
in ECS Transactions
Buchan A
(2014)
The immersed body supermeshing method for modelling reactor physics problems with complex internal structures
in Annals of Nuclear Energy
Dickinson JW
(2013)
Fabrication and characterisation of the graphene ring micro electrode (GRiME) with an integrated, concentric Ag/AgCl reference electrode.
in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Edwards S
(2012)
Hydrolysis of Hydroxamic Acid Complexants in the Presence of Non-Oxidizing Metal Ions
in MRS Proceedings
Gregson C
(2012)
Neptunium (V) Oxidation by Nitrous Acid in Nitric Acid
in Procedia Chemistry
M.A.Bromley
(2012)
Advances in Chemistry Research: v. 13
| Description | A method to deposit metal layers with structured nanoporosity onto insulator surfaces The use of nanoporous metal coated membranes for the electrochemically controlled separation of metal ions |
| Exploitation Route | Use of nanoporous metal modified membranes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells |
| Sectors | Chemicals Energy Environment |
| Description | This project developed a novel technology for the deposition of nanoporous metal layers onto insulating supports - specifically onto ion-selective nafion membranes. These membranes were successfully employed in a membrane-based separation of 4+ ions from 3+ ions in a feed solution that passed over one side of the membrane. This allowed for the selective extraction of the 4+ ions into a receiving solution on the opposite side of the membrane. The means by which this was achieved was as follows. The nanoporous metal may be electrochemically controlled so as to change the valence state of ions in solution directly adjacent to the membrane surface. As valence state of the ions determines whether they can enter and traverse the ion-selective membrane, electrochemically switching the ions between the 3+ and 4+ state either prevents or allows their passage across the membrane. Both the nanoporous metal layer technology and the use of membrane-based separations have been used subsequently: 1) The nanoporous metal technology has been used in the development of a water borne tritium sensor for deployment on nuclear licensed sites. In collaboration with Hybrid Instruments Ltd we have, through a series of follow-on awards from InnovateUK, NERC and Sellafield (TRIBECA, TSB/NDA Award No 131756, £123k, 2015; NANODOT2, NE/N017293/1, £100k, 2016; TRIBECA2, InnovateUK Award No 72669-502256, £79k, 2017; NANODOT+, NE/R007195/1, £54k, 2018, "Measurement of Waterborne Tritium", Sellafield Gamechangers GC-164, £76k, 2020) continued to develop the sensor. In particular Sellafield Ltd and the UK's Low Level Waste Repository are very interested in the device. The former have funded further development of the controlling electronics through their Game Changer scheme, whilst the latter was supporting Lancaster and Hybrid in negotiations with the NDA to fund deployment at Drigg. These negotiations were interrupted by the CoVID-19 pandemic, but will be resumed later this summer, 2021. 2) The membrane-based separations technique was incorporated into a Rotating Diffusion Cell device which is now being used to measure rates of interfacial transfer of ions within the context of advanced nuclear reprocessing flowsheets. These are currently under development as part of the UK's BEIS funded Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Energy,Environment |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | ATLANTIC: Accident ToLerANT fuels In reCycling |
| Amount | £2,545,629 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/S011935/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2018 |
| End | 11/2023 |
| Description | InnovateUK/NDA Developing the Civil Nuclear Supply Chain Competition |
| Amount | £123,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2015 |
| End | 03/2016 |
| Description | NERC Innovation Follow-On Fund Competition |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/N017293/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2016 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Description | National Nuclear Innovation Programme: Advanced Fuel Recycle Programme |
| Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2017 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | PACIFIC (Providing a Nuclear Fuel Cycle in the UK for Implementing Carbon Reductions) |
| Amount | £170,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/L018616/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2014 |
| End | 02/2018 |
| Description | SACSESS (Safety of ACtinide Separation proceSSes) |
| Amount | € 185,000 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | FP7 EURATOM Fission-2012-2.3.1 Project Reference No 323282 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 03/2014 |
| End | 09/2015 |
| Description | UTGARD Lab - Nuclear Research and Development: Advanced fuel recycle technologies Call |
| Amount | £800,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department of Energy and Climate Change |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2015 |
| End | 03/2016 |
| Description | NNL collaboration in the area of advanced nuclear reprocessing |
| Organisation | National Nuclear Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Working with NNL Subject Matter Experts in the area of advanced nuclear fuel reprocessing through a series of PhD and PDRA positions |
| Collaborator Contribution | Supporting Lancaster's work in advanced nuclear fuel reprocessing through a series of PhD and PDRA positions |
| Impact | "The hydrolysis of Hydroxamic Acid Complexants in the Presence of Non-Oxidising Metal Ions 1: Ferric Ions", F.P.L.Andrieux, C.Boxall and R.J.Taylor, J.Sol.Chem, 36(10), 1201-1217 (2007). IF = 1.128 "The hydrolysis of Hydroxamic Acid Complexants in the Presence of Non-Oxidising Metal Ions 2: Neptunium (IV) Ions", F.P.L.Andrieux, C.Boxall, I.May and R.J.Taylor, J.Sol.Chem, 37(2), 215-232 (2008). IF = 1.128 "Oxidation-Reduction Reactions of Simple Hydroxamic Acids in the Presence of Plutonium (IV) Ions", M.J.Carrott, O.D.Fox, G.LeGurun, C.J.Jones, C.Mason, R.J.Taylor, F.Andrieux, C.Boxall, Radiochimica Acta, 96(6), 333-344 (2008). IF = 1.373 "Acetohydroxamatoiron (III) complexes: Thermodynamics of formation and temperature dependent speciation", F.P.L.Andrieux, C.Boxall and R.J.Taylor, J.Sol.Chem, 37(11), 1511-1527 (2008). IF = 1.128 "Some aspects of neptunium acetohydroxamic acid chemistry under acid conditions", M.J.Sarsfield, R.J.Taylor, C.Boxall, F.P.L.Andrieux, Radiochimica Acta, 97(4-5), 219-222 (2009). IF = 1.373 "Surface Decontamination by Photocatalysis", R.J.Wilbraham, C.Boxall, R.J.Taylor, Proceedings of ASME 12th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management,Vol. 2, 185-193 (2010). "A Preliminary Study of the Hydrolysis of Hydroxamic Acid Complexants in the Presence of Oxidising Metal Ions" F.P.L.Andrieux, C.Boxall, I.May, R.J.Taylor IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 9, Article 012081, 8 pages (2010). "Hydrolysis of Hydroxamic Acid Complexants in the Presence of Non-Oxidizing Metal Ions", S.Edwards, F.P.L.Andrieux, C.Boxall, R.J.Taylor, D.Woodhead, in "Materials Challenges in Current and Future Nuclear Technologies", K.R.Whittle, M.Bertolus, B.Uberuaga, R.W.Grimes (Eds), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK, Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 1383, Article mrsf11-1383-a07-02, 6 pages (2012) DOI: 10.1557/opl.2012.210 "Surface Decontamination by Photocatalysis", R.J.Wilbraham, C.Boxall, R.J.Taylor, S.Woodbury in "Materials Challenges in Current and Future Nuclear Technologies", K.R.Whittle, M.Bertolus, B.Uberuaga, R.W.Grimes (Eds), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK, Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 1383, Article mrsf11-1383-a07-07, 7 pages (2012) DOI: 10.1557/opl.2012.182 " Photocatalytically Driven Dissolution of Macroscopic Metal Surfaces. Part 1: Silver" R.J.Wilbraham, C.Boxall, R.J.Taylor, J.Photochem.Photobiol A: Chem., 249, 21-28 (2012) DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2012.09.003 IF = 2.416 "Neptunium (V) oxidation by nitrous acid in nitric acid" C.Gregson, C.Boxall, M.Carrott, S.Edwards, M.Sarsfield, R.Taylor, D.Woodhead, in "Atalante 2012 International Conference on Nuclear Chemistry for Sustainable Fuel Cycles", C.Poinsott (Ed), Elsevier, London UK, Procedia Chemistry, 7, 398-403 (2012). DOI: 10.1016/j.proche.2012.10.062 IF = 0.4 "The hydrolysis of Hydroxamic Acid Complexants in the Presence of Non-Oxidising Metal Ions 3: Ferric Ions at elevated temperatures", F.P.L.Andrieux, C.Boxall, H.Steele and R.J.Taylor, J.Sol.Chem, 43(3) 608-622 (2014). DOI 10.1007/s10953-014-0142-y IF = 1.128 "The Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on the Dissolution of Electrodeposited Uranium Oxide Films on 316L Stainless Steel" " R.J.Wilbraham, C.Boxall, R.J.Taylor, S.Woodbury, J.Nuc.Mat., 464, 86-96 (2015). DOI 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2015.04.007 IF = 2.09 "A Study of Cerium Extraction by TBP and TODGA using a Rotating Diffusion Cell" M.A.Bromley, C.Boxall, Nukleonika, 60(4), 859-864 (2015). DOI: 10.1515/nuka-2015-0121 IF=0.477 "Simulation of Neptunium extraction in an Advanced PUREX process - model improvement", H.Chen, R.J.Taylor, M.Jobson, D.A.Woodhead, C.Boxall, A.J.Masters, S.Edwards, Solvent Extraction & Ion Exchange, 35(1), 1-18 (2017). DOI: 10.1080/07366299.2016.1273684 IF = 2.05 "The Effects of Nitric Acid on Extraction Properties of TODGA During Fission Product Management", M.A.Bromley, C.Boxall in "The Scientific Basis of Nuclear Waste Management", N.C.Hyatt, R.Ewing, Y.Inagaki, C.Jantzen (Eds), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK, MRS Advances., 2(10), 563-568 (2017) DOI: 10.1557/adv.2016.624 "Photocatalytically driven dissolution of macroscopic nickel surfaces", R.J.Wilbraham, C.Boxall, R.J.Taylor, Corrosion Science, 131, 137-146 (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2017.11.018 IF = 5.3 "Neptunium(IV)-hydroxamate complexes: their speciation, and kinetics and mechanism of hydrolysis", S.Edwards, F.Andrieux, C.Boxall, M.Sarsfield, R. Taylor and D.Woodhead, Dalton Trans., 48, 673 - 687 (2019). DOI: 10.1039/c8dt02194e IF = 4.099. "Nitrous acid-driven reduction of vanadium as a neptunium analogue ", M.Chimes, C.Boxall, S.Edwards, M.Sarsfield, R.J.Taylor D.Woodhead, Prog.Nucl.Sci.Tech, 5, 37-40 (2018). DOI: 10.15669/pnst.5.37 "A Study of Cerium Extraction Kinetics by TODGA in Acidified and Non-Acidified Organic Solvent Phases in the Context of Fission Product Management", M.A.Bromley, C.Boxall, Prog.Nucl.Sci.Tech, 5, 70-73 (2018). DOI: 10.15669/pnst.5.70 |
| Title | METHOD OF METAL DEPOSITION |
| Description | A method of forming a metal layer on an electrically insulating substrate comprises depositing a photocatalyst layer onto the substrate and depositing a mask layer comprising voids on the substrate, such as a layer of latex microparticles with voids between them, to give an open pore structure to the mask. An electroless plating solution is then provided on the photocatalyst layer, and the photocatalyst layer and electroless plating solution are illuminated with actinic radiation whereby deposition of metal from the electroless plating solution to form a metal layer on the photocatalyst layer is initiated whereby the metal deposits in the voids of the mask layer. The mask layer is subsequently removed to leave a porous metal layer on the substrate. The method allows for deposition of porous metal films with controlled thickness and excellent adhesion onto electrically insulating substrates. The method is suitable for providing metal layers with controlled, regular porosity. |
| IP Reference | US2013217227 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | 2013 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Use in InnovateUK/NDA project award No 13175 TRIBECA (TRItium detection By ElectroChemically Assisted radiometrics) Use in NERC project award No NE/N017293/1 NANODOT2 (NANOmaterials for radiometric Detection Of TriTium) |
| Description | UNTF - National Programme Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | "Rapid Photochemical Reduction of U(VI) for the Development of New Mixed Metal Oxide Fuel Production Processes" M.Bromley, C.Boxall, M.Sarsfield, R.Taylor, The Universities' Nuclear Technology Forum, Lancaster University 10th - 11th July 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | reprocessing seminar at Reading |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited Lecture "Interfacial Kinetic Studies of Advanced Spent Nuclear fuel Recycle Processes" C.Boxall. M.A.Bromley, R.J.Wilbraham, Department of Chemistry Seminar Series, University of Reading, Reading, UK, 8th May 2017 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |