Cesium leaching from gamma-irradiated CsA and CsX zeolites.

The present study discusses the effect of gamma-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 gamma-irradiation favors cesium retention depending on the cesium precursor salt used in the cationic exchange step.