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Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol.164, No.6, C312-C316, 2017
The Corrosion Behavior of Technetium Metal Exposed to Aqueous Sulfate and Chloride Solutions
Metal waste forms are being studied as possible disposal forms for technetium and other fission products from spent nuclear fuel. As an initial step in assessing the viability of waste forms, technetium corrosion and passivity behavior was assessed across a broad pH spectrum (pH - 1 to pH 13). Measurements indicate that the open circuit potential falls into the region of Tc+7 stability, more noble than the region of presumed passivity. Potentiodynamic polarization tests indicate that the Tc samples are not passive. Both electrochemical results and visual inspection suggest the presence of a nonprotective film. The corrosion rate is relatively independent of pH and low, as measured by linear polarization resistance. No evidence of passivity was observed in the Tc+4 region of the potential-pH diagram following in-situ abrasion, suggesting that Tc does not passivate, regardless of potential. (C) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.