In one, the electron ends up being part of a molecular radical that includes two zinc ions. In the 3rd, the electron is delocalized, or spread out diffusely over several salt ions.
When exposed to radiation, electrons produced within molten zinc chloride, or ZnCl2, can be observed in three unique singly occupied molecular orbital states, plus a more diffuse, delocalized state. Credit: Hung H. Nguyen/University of Iowa
Ramifications for Future Reactor Designs
Because molten salt reactors are among the reactor designs under consideration for future nuclear power plants, “the big concern is what happens to molten salts when theyre exposed to high radiation,” stated Vyacheslav Bryantsev, leader of the Chemical Separations group at ORNL and among the researchers on the research study and an author of the paper. “What happens to the salt that is used to bring the fuel in among those advanced reactor concepts?”
Claudio Margulis, teacher of chemistry at the University of Iowa and also a study detective and author, said, “Figuring out how the electron engages with salt is essential. We see from the research study that, at extremely short times, the electron can assist in the formation of a zinc dimer, a monomer, or be delocalized. It is possible that on longer time scales such species could further communicate to form other more intricate ones.”
In this study, the researchers wished to understand how an electron, which appears due to the fact that of radiation generated by nuclear fuel or other energy sources, will respond with the ions that comprise a molten salt.
” This research study doesnt respond to all these concerns, but its a start to investigate more deeply how the electron interacts with the salt,” Margulis said.
Prospective Long-Term Interactions and Published Findings
One choice is that the electrons can return to the types where they came from; for example, a chlorine radical can take back an electron to form chloride. Of particular interest is the case when radiation generates enough radicals that these can be in close proximity; this is when they might react to form more complicated types.”
The scientists, along with Iowa graduate trainee Hung Nguyen, released their findings in the American Chemical Societys The Journal of Physical Chemistry B. The paper, “Are High-Temperature Molten Salts Reactive with Excess Electrons?
The research study belonged to DOEs Molten Salts in Extreme Environments Energy Frontier Research Center, or MSEE EFRC, led by Brookhaven National Laboratory. An EFRC is a standard research program funded by DOEs Office of Basic Energy Sciences that combines creative, multidisciplinary, and multi-institutional teams of scientists to resolve the most difficult grand clinical difficulties at the forefront of basic energy science research study.
The Broader Significance
” This research study is essential because it reveals how the excess electrons produced by radiation in molten salt reactors might have numerous kinds of reactivity. I and other members of the MSEE team are trying to determine these other types of reactivity experimentally,” said Brookhaven chemist James Wishart, director of the MSEE EFRC.
” This research study can offer us some understanding of how an electron can interact with a molten salt,” Bryantsev stated. “There are a great deal of concerns still open. For example, is this interaction comparable to what occurs with other salts?”
Nguyen, the papers very first author, stated, “I continue to deal with Professor Margulis, Dr. Bryantsev, along with other members of the MSEE task to extend our studies by looking at other salt systems. Ideally, we will have the ability to answer more questions on the impact of radiation on molten salts.”
Reference: “Are High-Temperature Molten Salts Reactive with Excess Electrons? Case of ZnCl2” by Hung H. Nguyen, Vyacheslav S. Bryantsev and Claudio J. Margulis, 27 September 2023, The Journal of Physical Chemistry B.DOI: 10.1021/ acs.jpcb.3 c04210.
The computational research was done at DOEs Compute and Data Environment for Science at ORNL and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, both DOE Office of Science user centers.
Researchers have computationally simulated interactions between electrons and molten zinc chloride salt, discovering three distinct states. In the third, the electron is delocalized, or spread out diffusely over multiple salt ions.
Claudio Margulis, professor of chemistry at the University of Iowa and also a study investigator and author, stated, “Figuring out how the electron communicates with salt is essential. The paper, “Are High-Temperature Molten Salts Reactive with Excess Electrons?” This research study can provide us some understanding of how an electron can connect with a molten salt,” Bryantsev stated.
Researchers have computationally simulated interactions between electrons and molten zinc chloride salt, finding three distinct states. This finding is crucial for understanding radiations effects on future salt-fueled nuclear reactors. The research studys insights will drive more research into the reactivity of molten salts under radiation.
Scientists reveal three special electron states in molten salts, a vital discovery for future salt-fueled atomic power plants radiation effects.
In a finding that helps elucidate how molten salts in advanced atomic power plants might act, scientists have revealed how electrons interacting with the ions of the molten salt can form 3 states with various homes. Understanding these states can assist predict the impact of radiation on the efficiency of salt-fueled reactors.
The scientists, from the Department of Energys Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Iowa, computationally simulated the intro of an excess electron into molten zinc chloride salt to see what would happen.