Achieving and Stabilizing Uranyl Bending via Physical Pressure.

Applying physical pressure in the uranyl-sulfate system has resulted in the formation of the first purely inorganic uranyl oxo-salt phase with a considerable uranyl bend: Na4[(UO2)(SO4)3]. In addition to a strong bend of the typically almost linear O═U═O, the typically equatorial plane is broken up by two out-of-plane oxygen positions. Computational investigations show the origin of the bending to lie in the applied physical pressure and not in the electronic influence or steric hindrance. The increase in pressure onto the system has been shown to increase uranyl bending. Furthermore, the phase formation is compared with a reference phase of a similar structure without uranyl bending, and a transition pressure of 2.5 GPa is predicted, which is well in agreement with the experimental results.

Tilting and Distortion in Rutile-Related Mixed Metal Ternary Uranium Oxides: A Structural, Spectroscopic, and Theoretical Investigation.

A systematic investigation examining the origins of structural distortions in rutile-related ternary uranium AUO4 oxides using a combination of high-resolution structural and spectroscopic measurements supported by ab initio calculations is presented. The structures of ß-CdUO4, MnUO4, CoUO4, and MgUO4 are determined at high precision by using a combination of neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (S-XRD) or single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of ß-CdUO4 is best described by space group Cmmm whereas MnUO4, CoUO4, and MgUO4 are described by the lower symmetry Ibmm space group and are isostructural with the previously reported ß-NiUO4 [Murphy et al. Inorg. Chem. 2018, 57, 13847]. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis shows all five oxides contain hexavalent uranium. The difference in space group can be understood on the basis of size mismatch between the A2+ and U6+ cations whereby unsatisfactory matching results in structural distortions manifested through tilting of the AO6 polyhedra, leading to a change in symmetry from Cmmm to Ibmm. Such tilts are absent in the Cmmm structure. Heating the Ibmm AUO4 oxides results in reduction of the tilt angle. This is demonstrated for MnUO4 where in situ S-XRD measurements reveal a second-order phase transition to Cmmm near T = 200 °C. Based on the extrapolation of variable temperature in situ S-XRD data, CoUO4 is predicted to undergo a continuous phase transition to Cmmm at ∼1475 °C. Comparison of the measured and computed data highlights inadequacies in the DFT+U approach, and the conducted analysis should guide future improvements in computational methods. The results of this investigation are discussed in the context of the wider AUO4 family of oxides.

Structural and Spectroscopic Investigation of Novel 2D and 3D Uranium Oxo-Silicates/Germanates and Some Statistical Aspects of Uranyl Coordination in Oxo-Salts.

Synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization, and topological analysis of five novel uranyl-based silicates and germanates have been performed. The open-framework K4(UO2)2Si8O20·4H2O has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and is based upon [USi6] heptamers interconnected via edge-sharing. Its structure is composed of sechser silicate layers with 4-, 8-, and 16-membered rings. The largest 16-membered rings have an average dimension of ∼8.93 × 9.42 Å2. ß-K2(UO2)Si4O10 has been obtained by the high-temperature flux growth method. Its 3D framework contains a loop-branched sechser single layer with 4- and 8-membered rings and consists of the same [USi6] heptamers as observed in K4(UO2)2Si8O20·4H2O. Na6(UO2)3(Si2O7)2 has also been synthesized from melted fluxes and represents a 2D layer structure composed by [USi4] pentamers. Two iso-structural compounds A+(UO2)(HGeO4)·H2O (A+ = Rb+, Cs+) were synthesized via the hydrothermal method, and their structures are of the α-uranophane type. The 2D layers consist of [U2Ge2] tetramer secondary building units (SBUs). The Raman spectra of all novel phases were collected, and bands were assigned according to the existing oxo-silicate rings and oxo-germanium units. Additionally, we performed a statistical investigation of the local coordination of uranyl ions in all known inorganic structures with different oxo-anions (TOx, T = B3+, Si/Ge4+, P/As5+, S/Se/Te6+, Cr/Mo/W6+, P/As3+, and Se/Te4+). We found a direct correlation between the ionic potential of the central cations T in oxo-anions in their higher oxidation states and the coordination number of uranyl groups.

Hydrothermal Synthesis, Study, and Classification of Microporous Uranium Silicates and Germanates.

Four novel uranyl silicates and germanates with framework structures, K4Na2(UO2)3(Si2O7)2·3H2O, K4Na2(UO2)3(Ge2O7)2·3H2O, H3O(UO2)2(HGe2O7)·2H2O, and Na2(UO2)GeO4, have been synthesized by means of the hydrothermal method. The structures of the title compounds were refined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and characterized by Raman spectroscopy. We used the method of secondary building units (SBUs) for a crystal chemical analysis of the 3D framework and their topologies. The framework of the K4Na2(UO2)3(T2O7)2·3H2O (T = Si, Ge) series exhibits large 14-membered rings and smaller 8-membered rings which are built upon [UT4] pentamers. The internal size of the largest pores is approximately 12.39 × 3.33 Å2. H3O(UO2)2(HGe2O7)·2H2O is based on 10-membered rings with intermediate sized pores. They are built upon [U2Ge2] tetramers with 7-fold-coordinated U. The internal dimension of the pores in H3O(UO2)2(HGe2O7)·2H2O is smaller compared to the K4Na2(UO2)3(T2O7)2·3H2O (T = Si, Ge) series with ∼5.91 × 5.33 Å2. Its topology is similar to several uranium germanate synthetic phases and silicate minerals, especially α- and ß-uranophane which are constructed from similar building units. A novel 3D framework type of Na2(UO2)GeO4 with 8-membered rings demonstrates the smallest free volume in the family of porous uranium germanates. It crystallizes in tetragonal symmetry and is built upon corner sharing of [UGe4] pentamers. The size of the channels is ∼6.76 × 4.27 Å2. The vibrational bands in Raman spectra were associated with pyro-(Si2O7)6- and -(Ge2O7)6- groups, with the Ge-OH bond and with H3O+ cations, confirming the results of the X-ray crystallographic structural characterization. We systemized existing uranyl silicates and germanates based on their building units and chemical composition. We found a simple structural dependence between synthetic conditions and chemical composition.

Comparison of Uranium(VI) and Thorium(IV) Silicates Synthesized via Mixed Fluxes Techniques.

Two uranium and two thorium silicates were obtained using high temperature mixed fluxes methods. K14(UO2)3Si10O30 crystallizes in the P21/ c space group and contains open-branched sechser (six) single silicate chains, whereas K2(UO2)Si2O6 crystallizes in the C2/ c space group and is built of unbranched achter (eight) silicate chains. The crystals of K14(UO2)3Si10O30 and K2(UO2)Si2O6 are related by increasing U/Si molar ratios, and both structures contain the same secondary building units (SBUs), [USi6] heptamers. The triangle diagram for all known A+-UO22+-SiO44- phases demonstrates the high polymerization level of silicate groups in the system, which was compared with the family of A+-UO22+-BO33-/BO45- compounds. For both thorium silicates, the transformation of K2ThSi2O7 to K2ThSi3O9 was found to be a factor of the reaction time. K2ThSi2O7 crystallizes in the C2/ c space group and belongs to the Na2SiVISi2O7 structure type. Its 3D framework consists of diorthosilicate Si2O7 group and ThO6 octahedra. Noncentrosymmetric K2ThSi3O9 crystallizes in the hexagonal P63 space group and adopts mineral wadeite-type structure based upon triorthosilicate Si3O9 rings and ThO6 octahedra. The coordination environment of thorium for all existing oxo-anion compounds including B, Si/Ge, P/As, Cr/Mo/W, and S/Se/Te are summarized and analyzed. Additionally, spectroscopic properties of all novel materials have been studied.

Formation of Open Framework Uranium Germanates: The Influence of Mixed Molten Flux and Charge Density Dependence in U-Silicate and U-Germanate Families.

Seven novel open-framework uranyl germanates, K2(UO2)GeO4, K6(UO2)3Ge8O22, α-Cs2(UO2)Ge2O6, ß-Cs2(UO2)Ge2O6, Cs2(UO2)GeO4, and A(UO2)3(Ge2O7)2 (A = [NaK6Cl]6+, [Na2Cs6Cl2]6+), were grown from different mixed molten fluxes. The three-dimensional (3D) structure of K2(UO2)GeO4 with 8-ring channels can be built upon [UGe4] pentamer secondary building units (SBUs). The 3D framework of K6(UO2)3Ge8O22 with trapezoid (Ge8O22)12- clusters consists of two types of [UGe4] pentamers. The 3D framework of α-Cs2(UO2)Ge2O6 with 10-ring channels, crystallizing in the P21/ n space group, is constructed by [UGe4] pentamers. The structure of ß-Cs2(UO2)Ge2O6 contains achter (eight) single germanate chains and is composed of [UGe6] heptamers and [UGe4] pentamers. The structure of Cs2(UO2)GeO4 with hexagonal 10-ring channels is composed of [U3Ge4] heptamers and twisting five-fold GeO4 tetrahedra in four-membered Ge4O12 rings occur. 3D frameworks of NaK6Cl(UO2)3(Ge2O7)2 (space group Pnnm) and Na2Cs6Cl2(UO2)3(Ge2O7)2 ( P21/ c) can be constructed from the same SBUs [UGe4] pentamers. Thermal stability of salt-inclusions was studied by TG and PXRD analysis. Analysis of charge density for the U-Si-O system indicates that the polymerization of silicate units reduces the cross-links of the 3D frameworks. The concept of SBUs combined with the cutting and gluing strategy was applied to understand and analyze the distinct 8-, 10-, 12-, and 14- membered channels for the uranyl germanate family. The charge density of all known 3D U-Si/Ge-O frameworks has been investigated, which shows strong correlations with chemical composition of corresponding phases. The increase of Si/O (Ge/O) ratios in silicate units results in the decrease of negative charge density. Moreover, the charge density increases with decreasing countercation size within the same Si/O ratio. The correlations can be used to predict inclusion phase formation within U-Si/Ge-O families. Raman spectra of the studied uranyl germanates were measured, and bands were assigned on the basis of structural features.

High-Pressure Synthesis, Structural, and Spectroscopic Studies of the Ni-U-O System.

The first comprehensive structural study of the Ni-U-O system is reported. Single crystals of α-NiUO4, ß-NiUO4, and NiU3O10 were synthesized, and their structures were refined-using synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction data supported by X-ray absorption spectroscopic measurements. α-NiUO4 adopts an orthorhombic structure in space group Pbcn and is isostructural to CrUO4 containing corrugated two-dimensional (2D) layers of corner-sharing UO6 polyhedra and edge-sharing one-dimensional (1D) zigzag α-PbO2 rutile-like chains of NiO6 polyhedra in the [001] direction. ß-NiUO4 is isostructural to MgUO4 and has an orthorhombic structure in space group Ibmm, which contains alternating 1D chains of edge-sharing UO6 and NiO6 polyhedra in the [001] direction as in regular TiO2 rutile. NiU3O10 forms a triclinic structure in space group P1̅ and is isostructural with CuU3O10, where it forms a three-dimensional (3D) framework structure built through a mixture of UO6 and UO7 polyhedra in which the NiO6 polyhedra sit isolated within the framework. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) measurements, conducted using XANES mapping of single crystals, support the presence of hexavalent uranium in the three structures. The polymorphs of NiUO4 were found to only form under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions (≥4 GPa and 700 °C). It is argued that this is a consequence of the relative size difference between the Ni2+ and U6+ cations, where the Ni2+ cation is effectively too small for the Ibmm structure and too large for the Pbcn structure to form under ambient pressure conditions. This does not appear to be an issue for NiU3O10, which forms under ambient pressure conditions, where NiO6 polyhedra sit isolated within the framework of 3D connected UO6/UO7 polyhedra. Synthesis conditions indicate that ß-NiUO4 is the preferred higher-pressure phase and that the transformation to this occurs irreversibly at a temperature between 950 and 1000 °C, when P = 4 GPa. The routes toward the synthesis of the oxides and the associated structural and spectroscopic results are described with respect to the structural chemistry of the Ni-U-O system, the larger AUO4 family of oxides (A = divalent or trivalent cation), and also their relation to the rutile-related family of oxides.

Thorium Chemistry in Oxo-Tellurium System under Extreme Conditions.

Through the use of a high-temperature/high-pressure synthesis method, four thorium oxo-tellurium compounds with different tellurium valence states were isolated. The novel inorganic phases illustrate the intrinsic complexity of the actinide tellurium chemistry under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature. Th2Te3O11 is the first instance of a mixed-valent oxo-tellurium compound, and at the same time, Te exhibits three different coordination environments (TeIVO3, TeIVO4, and TeVIO6) within a single structure. These three types of Te polyhedra are further fused together, resulting in a [Te3O11]8- fragment. Na4Th2(TeVI3O15) and K2Th(TeVIO4)3 are the first alkaline thorium tellurates described in the literature. Both compounds are constructed from ThO9 tricapped trigonal prisms and TeVIO6 octahedra. Na4Th2(TeVI3O15) is a three-dimensional framework based on Th2O15 and Te2O10 dimers, while K2Th(TeVIO4)3 contains tungsten oxide bronze like Te layers linked by ThO9 polyhedra. The structure of ß-Th(TeIVO3)(SO4) is built from infinite thorium chains cross-linked by TeIVO32- and SO42- anions. Close structural analysis suggests that ß-Th(TeIVO3)(SO4) is highly related to the structure of α-Th(SeO4)2. Additionally, the Raman spectra are recorded and the characteristic peaks are assigned based on a comparison of reported tellurites or tellurates.

Giant Volume Change and Topological Gaps in Temperature- and Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions: Experimental and Computational Study of ThMo2 O8.

By applying high temperature (1270 K) and high pressure (3.5 GPa), significant changes occur in the structural volume and crystal topology of ThMo2 O8 , allowing the formation of an unexpected new ThMo2 O8 polymorph (high-temperature/high-pressure (HT/HP) orthorhombic ThMo2 O8 ). Compared with the other three ThMo2 O8 polymorphs prepared at the ambient pressure (monoclinic, orthorhombic, and hexagonal phases), the molar volume for the quenched HT/HP-orthorhombic ThMo2 O8 is decreased by almost 20 %. As a result of such a dramatic structural transformation, a permanent high-pressure quenchable state is able to be sustained when the pressure is released. The crystal structures of the three ambient ThMo2 O8 phases are based on three-dimensional (3D) frameworks constructed from corner-sharing ThOx (x=6, 8, or 9) polyhedra and MoO4 tetrahedra. The HT/HP-orthorhombic ThMo2 O8 , however, crystallizes in a novel structural topology, exhibiting very dense arrangements of ThO11 and MoO4+1 polyhedra connecting along the crystallographic c axis. The phase transitions among all four of these ThMo2 O8 polymorphs are unveiled and fully characterized with regard to the structural transformation, thermal stability, and vibrational properties. The complementary first principles calculations of Gibbs free energies reveal the underlying energetics of the phase transition, which support the experimental findings.

Rich Non-centrosymmetry in a Na-U-Te Oxo-System Achieved under Extreme Conditions.

Two new sodium uranyl tellurites and two new sodium uranyl tellurates have been synthesized from high-temperature/high-pressure conditions and structurally characterized. We demonstrated that crystalline phases, forming in a Na-U-Te system under extreme conditions, appear to favorably have non-centrosymmetric structures. Three out of four novel uranyl tellurium compounds, Na[(UO2)Te(IV)2O5(OH)], Na2[(UO2)(Te(VI)2O8)], and Na2[(UO2)Te(VI)O5], crystallize in non-centrosymmetric space groups. The crystal structure of Na[(UO2)Te(IV)2O5(OH)] is based on two-dimensional [UO2Te2O5(OH)](-) corrugated sheets, which are charge balanced by guest Na(+) cations. The structure of Na2[(UO2)Te(VI)2O8] is constructed from [(UO2)2Te2O8](2+) anionic layers composed of UO7 pentagonal bipyramids and TeO6 octahedra. Na2[(UO2)(Te(VI)O5)] is a new type of three-dimensional anionic open framework built from the interconnection of UO7 pentagonal bipyramids and TeO6 octahedra with different types of interlacing channels within the U-Te anionic framework. Na[(UO2)Te(IV)6O13(OH)], as the only centrosymmetric compound isolated in the Na-U-Te family, is crystallized in space group Pa3̅, and its structure is highly related to that of cliffordite (UO2(Te3O7)), which is composed from UO8 hexagonal bipyramids and TeO5 square pyramids. The vibrational modes associated with U-O, Te(IV)-O, and Te(VI)-O bonds are discussed, and the Raman spectra of the four compounds are characterized for signature bands.

Lead Oxychloride Borates Obtained under Extreme Conditions.

[Pb10O4]Pb2(B2O5)Cl12 (1) and [Pb18O12]Pb(BO2OH)2Cl10 (2) were obtained via high-temperature high-pressure experiments. [O12Pb18](12+) and [O4Pb10](12+) oxocentered structural units of different dimensionality are excised from the ideal [OPb] layer in tetragonal α-PbO. 2 is formed with an excess of lead oxide component, and 1 is formed with an excess of borate and halide reagents. The structure of 2 can be visualized as the incorporation of {Pb(10)Cl4(BO2OH)2} clusters into alternating PbO and chloride layers, with the existence of square vacancies in both. However, the structure of 1 is described as the intrusion of [O4Pb10](12+) tetramers linked by disordered Pb(B2O5) groups into a halogen three-dimensional matrix. The structure of 2 contains 10 symmetrically independent Pb positions. The 6s(2) lone electron pair is stereochemically active on Pb(1)-Pb(9) atoms, whereas it is inert on Pb(10). All of the Pb coordinations in the structure of 2, in accordance with ECCv (volume eccentricity) parameters and the density of states (DOS), can be subdivided into three groups. The current study is the first attempt to analyze this unusual behavior in structurally complex oxyhalide material with the rare case of Pb(2+) cations, demonstrating both stereochemically active and inactive behavior of the lone pair via charge and first-principle calculations.

Th(As(III)4As(V)4O18): a mixed-valent oxoarsenic(III)/arsenic(V) actinide compound obtained under extreme conditions.

A high-temperature/high-pressure method was employed to investigate phase formation in the Th(NO3)4·5H2O-As2O3-CsNO3 system. It was observed that an excess of arsenic(III) in starting system leads to the formation of Th(As(III)4As(V)4O18), which is representative of a rare class of mixed-valent arsenic(III)/arsenic(V) compounds. This compound was studied with X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray, and Raman spectroscopy methods. Crystallographic data show that Th(As(III)4As(V)4O18) is built from (As(III)4As(V)4O18)(4-) layers connected through Th atoms. The arsenic layers are found to be isoreticular to those in previously reported As2O3 and As3O5(OH), and the geometric differences between them are discussed. Bands in the Raman spectrum are assigned with respect to the presence of AsO3 and AsO4 groups.

High-temperature phase transitions, spectroscopic properties, and dimensionality reduction in rubidium thorium molybdate family.

Four new rubidium thorium molybdates have been synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions. The crystal structures of Rb8Th(MoO4)6, Rb2Th(MoO4)3, Rb4Th(MoO4)4, and Rb4Th5(MoO4)12 were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All these compounds construct from MoO4 tetrahedra and ThO8 square antiprisms. The studied compounds adopt the whole range of possible structure dimensionalities from zero-dimensional (0D) to three-dimensional (3D): finite clusters, chains, sheets, and frameworks. Rb8Th(MoO4)6 crystallizes in 0D containing clusters of [Th(MoO4)6](8-). The crystal structure of Rb2Th(MoO4)3 is based upon one-dimensional chains with configuration units of [Th(MoO4)3](2-). Two-dimensional sheets occur in compound Rb4Th(MoO4)4, and a 3D framework with channels formed by thorium and molybdate polyhedra has been observed in Rb4Th5(MoO4)12. The Raman and IR spectroscopic properties of these compounds are reported. Temperature-depended phase transition effects were observed in Rb2Th(MoO4)3 and Rb4Th(MoO4)4 using thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry analysis and high-temperature powder diffraction methods.

High structural complexity of potassium uranyl borates derived from high-temperature/high-pressure reactions.

Three new potassium uranyl borates, K12[(UO2)19(UO4)(B2O5)2(BO3)6(BO2OH)O10] ·nH2O (TPKBUO-1), K4[(UO2)5(BO3)2O4]·H2O (TPKBUO-2), and K15[(UO2)18(BO3)7O15] (TPKBUO-3), were synthesized under high-temperature/high-pressure conditions. In all three compounds, the U/B ratio exceeds 1. Boron exhibits BO3 coordination only, which is different from other uranyl borates prepared at room temperature or under mild hydrothermal conditions. A rare uranium(VI) tetraoxide core UO4O2, which is coordinated by two BO3 groups, is observed in the structure of TPKBUO-1. Both structures of TPKBUO-1 and TPKBUO-3 contain three different coordination environments of uranium, namely, UO4O2, UO2O4, and UO2O5 and UO2O4, UO2O5, and UO2O6 bipyramids in TPKBUO-1 and TPKBUO-3, respectively.

Understanding of the structural chemistry in the uranium oxo-tellurium system under HT/HP conditions.

The study of phase formation in the U-Te-O systems with mono and divalent cations under high-temperature high-pressure (HT/HP) conditions has resulted in four new inorganic compounds: K2 [(UO2) (Te2O7)], Mg [(UO2) (TeO3)2], Sr [(UO2) (TeO3)2] and Sr [(UO2) (TeO5)]. Tellurium occurs as TeIV, TeV, and TeVI in these phases which demonstrate the high chemical flexibility of the system. Uranium VI) adopts a variety of coordinations, namely, UO6 in K2 [(UO2) (Te2O7), UO7 in Mg [(UO2) (TeO3)2] and Sr [(UO2) (TeO3)2], and UO8 in Sr [(UO2) (TeO5)]. The structure of K2 [(UO2) (Te2O7)] is featured with one dimensional (1D) [Te2O7]4- chains along the c-axis. The Te2O7 chains are further linked by UO6 polyhedra, forming the 3D [(UO2) (Te2O7)]2- anionic frameworks. In Mg [(UO2) (TeO3)2], TeO4 disphenoids share common corners with each other resulting in infinite 1D chains of [(TeO3)2]4- propagating along the a-axis. These chains link the uranyl bipyramids by edge sharing along two edges of the disphenoids, resulting in the 2D layered structure of [(UO2) (Te2O6)]2-. The structure of Sr [(UO2) (TeO3)2] is based on 1D chains of [(UO2) (TeO3)2]∞ 2- propagating into the c-axis. These chains are formed by edge-sharing uranyl bipyramids which are additionally fused together by two TeO4 disphenoids, which also share two edges. The 3D framework structure of Sr [(UO2) (TeO5)] is composed of 1D [TeO5]4- chains sharing edges with UO7 bipyramids. Three tunnels based on 6-Membered rings (MRs) are propagating along [001] [010] and [100] directions. The HT/HP synthetic conditions for the preparation of single crystalline samples and their structural aspects are discussed in this work.

Deconvoluting Cr states in Cr-doped UO2 nuclear fuels via bulk and single crystal spectroscopic studies.

Cr-doped UO2 is a leading accident tolerant nuclear fuel where the complexity of Cr chemical states in the bulk material has prevented acquisition of an unequivocal understanding of the redox chemistry and mechanism for incorporation of Cr in the UO2 matrix. To resolve this, we have used electron paramagnetic resonance, high energy resolution fluorescence detection X-ray absorption near energy structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic measurements to examine Cr-doped UO2 single crystal grains and bulk material. Ambient condition measurements of the single crystal grains, which have been mechanically extracted from bulk material, indicated Cr is incorporated substitutionally for U+4 in the fluorite lattice as Cr+3 with formation of additional oxygen vacancies. Bulk material measurements reveal the complexity of Cr states, where metallic Cr (Cr0) and oxide related Cr+2 and Cr+32O3 were identified and attributed to grain boundary species and precipitates, with concurrent (Cr+3xU+41-x)O2-0.5x lattice matrix incorporation. The deconvolution of chemical states via crystal vs. powder measurements enables the understanding of discrepancies in literature whilst providing valuable direction for safe continued use of Cr-doped UO2 fuels for nuclear energy generation.

Rich coordination of Nd3+ in Mg2Nd13(BO3)8(SiO4)4(OH)3, derived from high-pressure/high-temperature conditions.

A neodymium borosilicate, Mg(2)Nd(13)(BO(3))(8)(SiO(4))(4)(OH)(3) (MgNdBSi-1), was obtained from a high-temperature (1400 °C), solid-state reaction under high-pressure conditions (4.5 GPa). MgNdBSi-1 contains six different types of Nd(3+) coordination environments with three different ligands: BO(3), SiO(4), and OH groups. Mg(2+) cations are only bond to BO(3) groups and form porous two-dimensional layers based on 12-membered ring fragments. Surprisingly, the OH groups are retained at high temperature and reside at the center of Mg-BO(3) rings.

Advances and perspectives of actinide chemistry from ex situ high pressure and high temperature chemical studies.

High pressure high temperature (HP/HT) studies of actinide compounds allow the chemistry and bonding of among the most exotic elements in the periodic table to be examined under the conditions often only found in the severest environments of nature. Peering into this realm of physical extremity, chemists have extracted detailed knowledge of the fundamental chemistry of actinide elements and how they contribute to bonding, structure formation and intricate properties in compounds under such conditions. The last decade has resulted in some of the most significant contributions to actinide chemical science and this holds true for ex situ chemical studies of actinides resulting from HP/HT conditions of over 1 GPa and elevated temperature. Often conducted in tandem with ab initio calculations, HP/HT studies of actinides have further helped guide and develop theoretical modelling approaches and uncovered associated difficulties. Accordingly, this perspective article is devoted to reviewing the latest advancements made in actinide HP/HT ex situ chemical studies over the last decade, the state-of-the-art, challenges and discussing potential future directions of the science. The discussion is given with emphasis on thorium and uranium compounds due to the prevalence of their investigation but also highlights some of the latest advancements in high pressure chemical studies of transuranium compounds. The perspective also describes technical aspects involved in HP/HT investigation of actinide compounds.

Understanding the role of flux, pressure and temperature on polymorphism in ThB2O5.

A novel polymorph of ThB2O5, denoted as ß-ThB2O5, was synthesised under high-temperature high-pressure (HT/HP) conditions. Via single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements, ß-ThB2O5 was found to form a three-dimensional (3D) framework structure where thorium atoms are ten-fold oxygen coordinated forming tetra-capped trigonal prisms. The only other known polymorph of ThB2O5, denoted α, synthesised herein using a known borax, B2O3-Na2B4O7, high temperature solid method, was found to transform to the ß polymorph when exposed to conditions of 4 GPa and ∼900 °C. Compared to the α polymorph, ß-ThB2O5 has smaller molar volume by approximately 12%. Exposing a mixture of the α and ß polymorphs to HT/HP conditions ex situ further demonstrated the preferred higher-pressure phase being ß, with no α phase material being observed via Rietveld refinements against laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD) measurements. In situ heating PXRD measurements on α-ThB2O5 from RT to 1030 °C indicated that α-ThB2O5 transforms to the ß variant at approximately 900 °C via a 1st order mechanism. ß-ThB2O5 was found to exist only over a narrow temperature range, decomposing above 1050 °C. Ab initio calculations using density functional theory (DFT) with the Hubbard U parameter indicated, consistent with experimental observations, that ß is both the preferred phase at higher temperatures and high pressures. Interestingly, it was found by switching from B2O3-Na2B4O7 to H3BO3-Li2CO3 flux using consistent high temperature solid state conditions for the synthesis of the α variant, ß-ThB2O5 could be generated. Comparison of their single crystal measurements showed this was identical to that obtained from HT/HP conditions.

Chromium Doped UO2-Based Ceramics: Synthesis and Characterization of Model Materials for Modern Nuclear Fuels.

Cr-doped UO2 as a modern nuclear fuel type has been demonstrated to increase the in-reactor fuel performance compared to conventional nuclear fuels. Little is known about the long-term stability of spent Cr-doped UO2 nuclear fuels in a deep geological disposal facility. The investigation of suitable model materials in a step wise bottom-up approach can provide insights into the corrosion behavior of spent Cr-doped nuclear fuels. Here, we present new wet chemical approaches providing the basis for such model systems, namely co-precipitation and wet coating. Both were successfully tested and optimized, based on detailed analyses of all synthesis steps and parameters: Cr-doping method, thermal treatment, reduction of U3O8 to UO2, green body production, and pellet sintering. Both methods enable the production of suitable model systems with a similar microstructure and density as a reference sample from AREVA. In comparison with results from the classical powder route, similar trends upon grain size and lattice parameter were determined. The results of this investigation highlight the significance of subtly different synthesis routes on the properties of Cr-doped UO2 ceramics. They enable a reproducible tailor-made well-defined microstructure, a homogeneous doping, for example, with lanthanides or alpha sources, the introduction of metallic particles, and a dust-free preparation.