Radioactive cesium decontamination technology for ash

Abstract

The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2011 spurred rapid research and development at AIST for a radioactive cesium decontamination system. In this paper, we introduce the development of an ash-decontamination technology that uses Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles. We developed all aspects of the system using a combination of fundamental technologies, which included optimization of PB nanoparticle structure for use as cesium adsorbents, composite fabrication, e.g. granules for utilization as adsorbents, and extraction of radioactive cesium from the contaminated ash. All aspects of development were achieved within a short period of time through close collaboration among researchers from materials science, computational science, and geology. Collaboration with private companies was also effective.