Search results for "Uranium oxide"
showing 5 items of 5 documents
ChemInform Abstract: Neutron Diffraction Study of the in situ Oxidation of UO2.
2009
This paper discusses uranium oxide crystal structure modifications that are observed during the low-temperature oxidation which transforms UO2 into U3O8. The symmetries and the structural parameters of UO2, β-U4O9, β-U3O7, and U3O8 were determined by refining neutron diffraction patterns on pure single-phase samples. Neutron diffraction patterns were also collected during the in situ oxidation of powder samples at 483 K. The lattice parameters and relative ratios of the four pure phases were measured during the progression of the isothermal oxidation. The transformation of UO2 into U3O8 involves a complex modification of the oxygen sublattice and the onset of complex superstructures for U4O…
Determination of the content in uranium oxide particles by fission track analysis
2004
Abstract One of the most important tasks of nuclear safeguards is to control the activities in nuclear facilities worldwide. These activities include the enrichment of 235 U . To identify enrichments above the maximum authorised level in commercial enrichment plants (usually 5% 235 U ) swipe tests are performed and the 235 U enrichment is determined in the sampled uranium oxide particles. A method is described that allows to measure the 235 U content in small particles (around 1 μm in diameter) by the use of fission tracks. It is based on the fact that in uranium fuel, only 235 U atoms are fissile with thermal neutrons and contribute to the amount of fission tracks counted for individual pa…
Synthesis and characterization of nanometric powders of UO2+x, (Th,U)O2+x and (La,U)O2+x
2009
This paper describes a new way of preparing nanometric powders of uranium oxide, to fit the needs of studies on UO{sub 2} oxidation, through the electrochemical reduction of U(VI) into U(IV). These powders can also be doped with radionuclides if necessary. The precipitation of oxides occurs in reducing and anoxic conditions. This original method makes it possible to synthesize nanometric UO{sub 2} powders with a calibrated size, as well as the Th- and La-doped UO{sub 2} powders with a predefined composition. The powder characterization by the X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron Microscopy shows the formation of spherical crystallites of UO{sub 2+x},…
Neutron Diffraction Study of the in Situ Oxidation of UO2
2009
This paper discusses uranium oxide crystal structure modifications that are observed during the low-temperature oxidation which transforms UO(2) into U(3)O(8). The symmetries and the structural parameters of UO(2), beta-U(4)O(9), beta-U(3)O(7), and U(3)O(8) were determined by refining neutron diffraction patterns on pure single-phase samples. Neutron diffraction patterns were also collected during the in situ oxidation of powder samples at 483 K. The lattice parameters and relative ratios of the four pure phases were measured during the progression of the isothermal oxidation. The transformation of UO(2) into U(3)O(8) involves a complex modification of the oxygen sublattice and the onset of…
Production of monodisperse uranium oxide particles and their characterization by scanning electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry
2000
Abstract Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can be confidently used to measure uranium isotopic ratios in single particles. Dense particles of known isotopic composition and size allow the precision and the accuracy of the applied procedure to be estimated. These particles can be obtained by dissolving standard reference uranium materials, nebulizing the solution in droplets of proper diameter and collecting the particles after the desolvation and calcination of the droplets. A new instrumental set up, based on a commercial vibrating orifice aerosol generator to generate monodisperse droplets of the solutions from four uranium oxide reference materials, is described. The droplets were d…