Synthesis of Environmentally Friendly Oxide Zirconium from Zircon Sand

Technologically Enhanced Natural Radioactive Material (TENORM) contamination is a serious health problem. In applying safe zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) in the industrial sector, it is necessary to have environmentally friendly ZrO₂, namely very low radioactivity (< 1 Bq/g) and TENORM free. This study aims to obtain a ZrO₂ with very low radioactivity and TENORM-free. The synthesis of ZrO₂ consists of optimizing the smelting of zircon sand, leaching sodium zirconate, precipitation of impurities including TENORM, precipitation of zirconium hydroxide, and calcination. The ZrO₂ was characterized by XRD, FTIR, FE–SEM–EDS, and Alpha–Beta Radioactivity Counter. The characterization composition with XRF and NAA methods shows a ZrO₂ purity of 97% and TENORM-free, with very low radioactivity (0.031 Bq/g), far below the maximum standard (1 Bq/g). This synthesis method can increase the concentration of ZrO₂ from 41 to 97% and decrease TENORM (U₃O₈ from 470 ppm becomes undetectable, and ThO₂ from 680 ppm becomes undetectable).