Cesium leaching from gamma-irradiated CsA and CsX zeolites

The present study discusses the effect of γ-irradiation on Cs⁺-exchanged X and A zeolites. The incorporation of Cs⁺ ions into A and X zeolites was performed using three different cesium salts (chloride, nitrate or acetate). Cs⁺ ions immobilized into the vitrified zeolites by thermal treatment are located in different sites of the zeolite networks. It is found that γ-irradiation favors cesium retention depending on the cesium precursor salt used in the cationic exchange step.