Ferrihydrite was exposed to U(VI)-containing cement leachate (pH 10.5) and aged to induce crystallization of hematite. A combination of chemical extractions, TEM, and XAS techniques provided the first evidence that adsorbed U(VI) (≈3000 ppm) was incorporated into hematite during ferrihydrite aggregation and the early stages of crystallization, with continued uptake occurring during hematite ripening. Analysis of EXAFS and XANES data indicated that the U(VI) was incorporated into a distorted, octahedrally coordinated site replacing Fe(III). Fitting of the EXAFS showed the uranyl bonds lengthened from 1.81 to 1.87 Å, in contrast to previous studies that have suggested that the uranyl bond is lost altogether upon incorporation into hematite. The results of this study both provide a new mechanistic understanding of uranium incorporation into hematite and define the nature of the bonding environment of uranium within the mineral structure. Immobilization of U(VI) by incorporation into hematite has clear and important implications for limiting uranium migration in natural and engineered environments.

Ferrihydrite is the most common iron oxyhydroxide found in soil and is a key sequester of contaminants in the environment. Ferrihydrite formation is also a common component of many treatment processes for cleanup of industrial effluents. Here we characterize ferrihydrite formation during the titration of an acidic ferric nitrate solution with NaOH. In situ SAXS measurements supported by ex situ TEM indicate that initially Fe₁₃ Keggin clusters (radius ∼ 0.45 nm) form in solution at pH 0.12–1.5 and are persistent for at least 18 days. The Fe₁₃ clusters begin to aggregate above ∼ pH 1, initially forming highly linear structures. Above pH ∼ 2 densification of the aggregates occurs in conjunction with precipitation of low molecular weight Fe(III) species (e.g., monomers, dimers) to form mass fractal aggregates of ferrihydrite nanoparticles (∼3 nm) in which the Fe₁₃ Keggin motif is preserved. SAXS analysis indicates the ferrihydrite particles have a core–shell structure consisting of a Keggin center surrounded by a Fe-depleted shell, supporting the surface depleted model of ferrihydrite. Overall, we present the first direct evidence for the role of Fe₁₃ clusters in the pathway of ferrihydrite formation during base hydrolysis, showing clear structural continuity from isolated Fe₁₃ Keggins to the ferrihydrite particle structure. The results have direct relevance to the fundamental understanding of ferrihydrite formation in environmental, engineered, and industrial processes.

Understanding interactions between radionuclides and mineral phases underpins site environmental cleanup and waste management in the nuclear industry. The transport and fate of radionuclides in many subsurface environments are controlled by adsorption, redox, and mineral incorporation processes. Interactions of iron (oxyhydr)oxides with uranium have been extensively studied because of the abundance of uranium as an environmental contaminant and the ubiquity of iron (oxyhydr)oxides in engineered and natural environments. Despite this, detailed mechanistic information regarding the incorporation of uranium into Fe(II)-bearing magnetite and green rust is sparse. Here, we present a co-precipitation study in which U(VI) was reacted with environmentally relevant iron(II/III) (oxyhydr)oxide mineral phases. On the basis of diffraction, microscopic, dissolution, and spectroscopic evidence, we show the reduction of U(VI) to U(V) and stabilization of the U(V) by incorporation within the near surface and bulk of the particles during co-precipitation with iron (oxyhydr)oxides. U(V) was stable in both magnetite and green rust structures and incorporated via substitution for octahedrally coordinated Fe in a uranate-like coordination environment. As the Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio increased, a proportion of U(IV) was also precipitated as surface-associated UO₂. These novel observations have significant implications for the behavior of uranium within engineered and natural environments.