I am a research chemist. My PhD, gained at the University of Wolverhampton, was in hydrothermal zeolite synthesis, crystallisation mechanisms and solid-state characterisation to evaluate the catalytic properties for NOx reduction.

My research in the department has mainly been concerned with areas related to nuclear power and waste. The strategy for disposal of UK nuclear waste is to use an underground geological disposal facility (see CORWM report 2006). I have synthesised non-radioactive simulant ceramic and glass high level waste forms and conducted accelerated leaching tests in order to assess their stability to hydrothermal attack by ground waters over several thousands of years. Some of the radionuclides have long radioactive decay half-lives and therefore remain radioactive for a long time; it is important to try and assess their retention within the wasteform as well as understanding the chemical mechanisms involved in any alteration which may occur.

  

7 Component Simulant 25 Wt.% Magnox High Level Waste Glass

7 Component Simulant 25 Wt.% Magnox High Level Waste Glass

 

Various instrumental analytical techniques are used to do this.  Information about local chemical structure and reaction mechanisms can be gained using magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy, and solution concentrations can be measured by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS).  Several other, mainly solid-state, characterisation techniques are also used to measure various physical and chemical properties.

 

 

BSE Image of a Pyrochlore-Based Ceramic Surrogate Nuclear Wasteform (600 X)

 

I have also studied the effects of radiation on nuclear-related materials.  One of the proposals for the next generation (Gen. IV) fuel is to use tri-isostructural (TRISO) fuel pellets. These are around 1 mm across and consist of a uranium/thorium kernel which is surrounded by layers of carbon and a layer of silicon carbide. The silicon carbide layer is used to give strength and structural integrity to the particle to withstand pressure created from gaseous fission products.  We have analysed the silicon carbide layer in non-radioactive TRISO-type particles by MAS NMR and have also studied neutron-irradiated silicon carbide to assess the effect of radiation on its structure and to quantify the defects produced in the material.

 

Deconvoluted 29Si MAS NMR Spectrum of TRISO Surrogate Fuel Pellet

 

 

Non-nuclear related work has also included studying defects in yttira-stabilised zirconia at different levels of cerium substitution.  These type of materials can be used in electroceramic applications such as fuel cells.

 

Publications

  • López-Honorato, Brigden, C., Shatwell, R.A., Zhang, H., Farnan, I., Xiao, P., Guillermier, P., and Somers, J., Silicon Carbide Polytype Characterisation in Coated Fuel Particles by Raman Spectroscopy and 29Si Magic Angle Spinning NMR, Journal of Nuclear Materials, 433 (2013) 199-205
  • Xie, X., Sun, J., Brigden, C., Farnan, I., Honga, Y., Vasant Kumar, R., Understanding the Relationship between Dopant and Ionic Transport in Yttria-Doped Ceria-Zirconia, Journal of Materials Chemistry, 21 (2011) 9570-9575
  • Brigden, C.T., Williams, C.D., and Apperley, D., A Study of the Chemistry of Isomorphous Substitution and Characterization of Al-ZSM-5 and Sc-ZSM-5 Synthesized in Fluoride Media, Inorganic Materials, 43 (7) (2007) 758-769
  • Brigden, C.T., and Williams, C.D., The Synthesis and Characterization of All-Silica and Al-Beta formed in Fluoride and Caustic Media, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 100 (2007) 118-127
  • Brigden, C.T., Thompsett, D., and Williams, C.D., Preparation of Isomorphously Substituted Scandium ZSM-5 Using Aqueous Fluoride Gels, Dalton Transactions, 18 (2004) 2829-2830
  • Brigden, C.T., Poulston, S., Twigg, M.V., Walker, A.P., and Wilkins, A.J.J., Photo-oxidation of Short-chain Hydrocarbons over Titania, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 32 (2001) 63-71

 


Publications: 2006-Present

Last updated on 22-Feb-13 16:28