Samples based on Ca–REE silicate with an apatite–britholite structure were produced using cold crucible induction melting. These samples serve as candidate matrices for the REE–actinide fraction of nuclear fuel reprocessing waste. Britholite has a simple composition and high capacity for REEs and actinides; the phase is stable in aqueous solutions. The distribution of Nd (surrogate of REE–actinide fraction) in glass-ceramics is biased toward britholite with a factor of 6–13. The normalized Nd leach rates with water and brine at 200–250°C are 10–7–10–9 g/(cm2 day).
Yudintsev et al. (Wed,) studied this question.