Thompson, N.B.A., Gilbert, M.R. and Hyatt, N.C. (2020) Nuclear forensic signatures of studtite and α-UO3 from a matrix of solution processing parameters. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 544. 152713. ISSN 0022-3115
Abstract
At the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle, spent nuclear fuel (SNF) may be processed in solution to form a precipitate of uranyl peroxide tetrahydrate, also known as studtite ([(UO2)(O2)(H2O)2]•2H2O). The physical and chemical properties of studtite are influenced by the solution processing conditions employed, thus, the processing history of the precipitate may be elucidated from these characteristics. This is useful in the field of nuclear forensics, where the provenance of intercepted illicit nuclear material is of interest. Studtite is often calcined to ≥500 °C to form alpha uranium trioxide (α-UO3), an oxide prevalent in waste storage. In this study, the crystal structure of UO3 is analysed, with a discussion on the α/α’-UO3 C2mm symmetry. The morphological and structural signatures of both studtite and UO3 are investigated, with respect to a matrix of solution processing conditions and the thermal treatment of studtite.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 Crown Copyright. |
Keywords: | Studtite; UO3; Morphology; Nuclear forensics; XRD; Solution processing |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Materials Science and Engineering (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 17 Dec 2020 11:00 |
Last Modified: | 17 Dec 2020 11:00 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152713 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:169133 |