Overall
- Language
- English
- Conflict of Interest
- In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
- Publication history
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Received October 18, 2024
Accepted July 24, 2025
Available online June 25, 2025
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This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0) which permits
unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Most Cited
A Review of Key Wasteform Properties for Radioactive and Heavy Metal Mixed Waste: Leaching Behavior and Radiological Stability
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-025-00407-2
Abstract
Mixed waste produced by nuclear facilities is diffi cult to dispose of, as it comprises both radiological and chemical hazards.
Considering that most mixed wastes are designated as low-level waste and that heavy metals are the major chemical hazards,
it is highly likely that the diffi culties associated with mixed waste disposal can be resolved by solidifi cation and stabilization
(S/S) treatment. The primary material used for S/S treatment of low-level radioactive and hazardous materials is ordinary
Portland cement (OPC). Conversely, vitrifi cation is recommended for high-level radioactive waste, especially nuclear fuel
material. Additionally, geopolymers with comparable performance to OPC have gained considerable attention recently. This
report reviews the binding mechanisms associated with S/S of OPC, geopolymer, and glass wasteform with radionuclides
and hazardous material, as well as structural degradation, leaching resistance, mechanical changes, and irradiation eff ects
in irradiation environments. It also introduces a multi-scale modeling approach for quantitative evaluation of the physical,
chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of heterogenous OPC, geopolymers, and glass. Studies on S/S that consider
the properties of mixed waste can enable safe and effi cient mixed waste treatment and enhance the sustainability of nuclear
power generation.

