Validation of the Wiedemann-Franz Law in Solid and Molten Tungsten above 2000 K through Thermal Conductivity Measurements via Steady-State Temperature Differential Radiometry.

We measure the thermal conductivity of solid and molten tungsten using steady state temperature differential radiometry. We demonstrate that the thermal conductivity can be well described by application of Wiedemann-Franz law to electrical resistivity data, thus suggesting the validity of Wiedemann-Franz law to capture the electronic thermal conductivity of metals in their molten phase. We further support this conclusion using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations with a machine-learned potential. Our results show that at these high temperatures, the vibrational contribution to thermal conductivity is negligible compared to the electronic component.

Low-Temperature Heat Capacity of CsPbI3, Cs4PbI6, and Cs3Bi2I9.

The heat capacities of CsPbI3, Cs4PbI6, and Cs3Bi2I9 were studied using low-temperature thermal relaxation calorimetry in the temperature range of 1.9-300 K. The three compounds are insulators, with no electronic contribution to the heat capacity. None of them show detectable anomalies in the studied temperature window. Thermodynamic properties at standard conditions are derived. Previously reported results on Cs3Bi2I9 are not fully consistent with the present findings. Moreover, the magnetic susceptibilities of the three title compounds were measured.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Stability of Two Americium Vanadates, AmVO3 and AmVO4.

In search for chemically stable americium compounds with high power densities for radioisotope sources for space applications, AmVO3 and AmVO4 were prepared by a solid-state reaction. We present here their crystal structure at room temperature solved by powder X-ray diffraction combined with Rietveld refinement. Their thermal and self-irradiation stabilities have been studied. The oxidation states of americium were confirmed by the Am M5 edge high-resolution X-ray absorption near-edge structure (HR-XANES) technique. Such ceramics are investigated as potential power sources for space applications like radioisotope thermoelectric generators, and they have to endure extreme conditions including vacuum, high or low temperatures, and internal irradiation. Thus, their stability under self-irradiation and heat treatment in inert and oxidizing atmospheres was tested and discussed relative to other compounds with a high content of americium.

Structural Studies and Thermal Analysis in the Cs2MoO4-PbMoO4 System with Elucidation of ß-Cs2Pb(MoO4)2.

The quaternary compound Cs2Pb(MoO4)2 was synthesized and its structure was characterized using X-ray and neutron diffraction from 298 to 773 K, while thermal expansion was studied from 298 to 723 K. The crystal structure of the high-temperature phase ß-Cs2Pb(MoO4)2 was elucidated, and it was found to crystallize in the space group R3̅m (No. 166), i.e., with a palmierite structure. In addition, the oxidation state of Mo in the low-temperature phase α-Cs2Pb(MoO4)2 was studied using X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy. Phase diagram equilibrium measurements in the Cs2MoO4-PbMoO4 system were performed, revisiting a previously reported phase diagram. The equilibrium phase diagram proposed here includes a different composition of the intermediate compound in this system. The obtained data can serve as relevant information for thermodynamic modeling in view of the safety assessment of next-generation lead-cooled fast reactors.

Synthesis of Nanocrystalline PuO2 by Hydrothermal and Thermal Decomposition of Pu(IV) Oxalate: A Comparative Study.

In recent years, the hydrothermal conversion of actinide (IV) oxalates into nanometric actinide dioxides (AnO2) has begun to be investigated as an alternative to the widely implemented thermal decomposition method. We present here a comparison between the hydrothermal and the conventional thermal decomposition of Pu(IV) oxalate in terms of particle size, morphology and residual carbon content. A parametric study was carried out in order to define the temperature and time applied in the hydrothermal conversion of tetravalent Pu-oxalate into PuO2 and to optimize the reaction conditions.

Synthesis and characterization of homogeneous (U,Am)O2 and (U,Pu,Am)O2 nanopowders.

This paper details the first dedicated production of homogeneous nanocrystalline particles of mixed actinide oxide solid solutions containing americium. The target compositions were U0.75Pu0.20Am0.05O2, U0.90Am0.10O2 and U0.80Am0.20O2. After successful hydrothermal synthesis and chemical characterisation, the nanocrystals were sintered and their structure and behaviour under self-irradiation were studied by powder XRD. Cationic charge distribution of the as-prepared nanocrystalline and sintered U0.80Am0.20O2 materials was investigated applying U M4 and Am M5 edge high energy resolution XANES (HR-XANES). Typical oxidation states detected for the cations are U(iv)/U(v) and Am(iii)/Am(iv). The measured crystallographic swelling was systematically smaller for the as-synthesised nanoparticles than the sintered products. For sintered pellets, the maximal volumetric swelling was about 0.8% at saturation, in line with literature data for PuO2, AmO2, (U,Pu)O2 or (U,Am)O2.

SUPERFACT: A Model Fuel for Studying the Evolution of the Microstructure of Spent Nuclear Fuel during Storage/Disposal.

The transmutation of minor actinides (in particular, Np and Am), which are among the main contributors to spent fuel α-radiotoxicity, was studied in the SUPERFACT irradiation. Several types of transmutation UO2-based fuels were produced, differing by their minor actinide content (241Am, 237Np, Pu), and irradiated in the Phénix fast reactor. Due to the high content in rather short-lived alpha-decaying actinides, both the archive, but also the irradiated fuels, cumulated an alpha dose during a laboratory time scale, which is comparable to that of standard LWR fuels during centuries/millenaries of storage. Transmission Electron Microscopy was performed to assess the evolution of the microstructure of the SUPERFACT archive and irradiated fuel. This was compared to conventional irradiated spent fuel (i.e., after years of storage) and to other 238Pu-doped UO2 for which the equivalent storage time would span over centuries. It could be shown that the microstructure of these fluorites does not degrade significantly from low to very high alpha-damage doses, and that helium bubbles precipitate.

Experimental and Computational Exploration of the NaF-ThF4 Fuel System: Structure and Thermochemistry.

The structural, thermochemical, and thermophysical properties of the NaF-ThF4 fuel system were studied with experimental methods and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Equilibrium MD (EMD) simulations using the polarizable ion model were performed to calculate the density, molar volume, thermal expansion, mixing enthalpy, heat capacity, and distribution of [ThFn]m- complexes in the (Na,Th)Fx melt over the full concentration range at various temperatures. The phase equilibria in the 10-50 mol % ThF4 and 85-95 mol % ThF4 regions of the NaF-ThF4 phase diagram were measured using differential scanning calorimetry, as were the mixing enthalpies at 1266 K of (NaF/ThF4) = (0.8:0.2), (0.7:0.3) mixtures. Furthermore, the ß-Na2ThF6 and NaTh2F9 compounds were synthesized and subsequently analyzed with the use of X-ray diffraction. The heat capacities of both compounds were measured in the temperature ranges (2-271 K) and (2-294 K), respectively, by thermal relaxation calorimetry. Finally, a CALPHAD model coupling the structural and thermodynamic data was developed using both EMD and experimental data as input and a quasichemical formalism in the quadruplet approximation. Here, 7- and 8-coordinated Th4+ cations were introduced on the cationic sublattice alongside a 13-coordinated dimeric species to reproduce the chemical speciation, as calculated by EMD simulations and to provide a physical description of the melt.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Stability of Americium Phosphate, AmPO4.

AmPO4 was prepared by a solid-state reaction method, and its crystal structure at room temperature was solved by powder X-ray diffraction combined with Rietveld refinement. The purity of the monazite-like phase was confirmed by spectroscopic (high-resolution solid-state 31P NMR and Raman) and microscopic (SEM-EDX and TEM) techniques. The thermal and self-irradiation stability have been studied. The compound is stable under argon and air atmosphere at least up to 1773 K. It remains crystalline under self-irradiation for circa two months, with a crystallographic volume swelling of ∼1.5%, and then is amorphizing over a year. However, microcrystals are present in the amorphous material even after a two year period of time. All these characteristics are discussed in relation to the potential application of AmPO4 as a stable form of Am in radioisotope power sources for space exploration and of behavior of the monazites under irradiation.

The effect of lattice disorder on the low-temperature heat capacity of (U1-yThy)O2 and 238Pu-doped UO2.

The low-temperature heat capacity of (U1-yThy)O2 and 238Pu-doped UO2 samples were determined using hybrid adiabatic relaxation calorimetry. Results of the investigated systems revealed the presence of the magnetic transition specific for UO2 in all three intermediate compositions of the uranium-thorium dioxide (y = 0.05, 0.09 and 0.12) and in the 238Pu-doped UO2 around 25 K. The magnetic behaviour of UO2 exposed to the high alpha dose from the 238Pu isotope was studied over time and it was found that 1.6% 238Pu affects the magnetic transition substantially, even after short period of time after annealing. In both systems the antiferromagnetic transition changes intensity, shape and Néel temperature with increasing Th-content and radiation dose, respectively, related to the increasing disorder on the crystal lattice resulting from substitution and defect creation.

Plutonium and Americium Aluminate Perovskites.

Both AmAlO3 and PuAlO3 perovskites have been synthesized and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS NMR). AmAlO3 perovskite showed a rhombohedral configuration (space group R3̅c) in agreement with previous studies. The effect of americium α-decay on this material has been followed by XRD and 27Al MAS NMR analyses. In a first step, a progressive increase in the level of disorder in the crystalline phase was detected, associated with a significant crystallographic swelling of the material. In a second step, the crystalline AmAlO3 perovskite was progressively converted into amorphous AmAlO3, with a total amorphization occurring after 8 months and 2 × 1018 α-decays/g. For the first time, PuAlO3 perovskite was synthesized with an orthorhombic configuration (space group Imma), showing an interesting parallel to CeAlO3 and PrAlO3 lanthanide analogues. High-temperature XRD was performed and showed a Imma → R3̅c phase transition occurring between 473 and 573 K. The thermal behavior of R3̅c PuAlO3 was followed from 573 to 1273 K, and extrapolation of the data suggests that cubic plutonium perovskite should become stable at around 1850 K (R3̅c → Pm3̅m transition).

In situ high-temperature EXAFS measurements on radioactive and air-sensitive molten salt materials.

The development at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft, The Netherlands) of an experimental set-up dedicated to high-temperature in situ EXAFS measurements of radioactive, air-sensitive and corrosive fluoride salts is reported. A detailed description of the sample containment cell, of the furnace design, and of the measurement geometry allowing simultaneous transmission and fluorescence measurements is given herein. The performance of the equipment is tested with the room-temperature measurement of thorium tetrafluoride, and the Th-F and Th-Th bond distances obtained by fitting of the EXAFS data are compared with the ones extracted from a refinement of neutron diffraction data collected at the PEARL beamline at TU Delft. The adequacy of the sample confinement is checked with a mapping of the thorium concentration profile of molten salt material. Finally, a few selected salt mixtures (LiF:ThF4) = (0.9:0.1), (0.75:0.25), (0.5:0.5) and (NaF:ThF4) = (0.67:0.33), (0.5:0.5) are measured in the molten state. Qualitative trends along the series are discussed, and the experimental data for the (LiF:ThF4) = (0.5:0.5) composition are compared with the EXAFS spectrum generated from molecular dynamics simulations.

Optimization of Uranium-Doped Americium Oxide Synthesis for Space Application.

Americium 241 is a potential alternative to plutonium 238 as an energy source for missions into deep space or to the dark side of planetary bodies. In order to use the 241Am isotope for radioisotope thermoelectric generator or radioisotope heating unit (RHU) production, americium materials need to be developed. This study focuses on the stabilization of a cubic americium oxide phase using uranium as the dopant. After optimization of the material preparation, (Am0.80U0.12Np0.06Pu0.02)O1.8 has been successfully synthesized to prepare a 2.96 g pellet containing 2.13 g of 241Am for fabrication of a small scale RHU prototype. Compared to the use of pure americium oxide, the use of uranium-doped americium oxide leads to a number of improvements from a material properties and safety point of view, such as good behavior under sintering conditions or under alpha self-irradiation. The mixed oxide is a good host for neptunium (i.e., the 241Am daughter element), and it has improved safety against radioactive material dispersion in the case of accidental conditions.

Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident.

Major and severe accidents have occurred three times in nuclear power plants (NPPs), at Three Mile Island (USA, 1979), Chernobyl (former USSR, 1986) and Fukushima (Japan, 2011). Research on the causes, dynamics, and consequences of these mishaps has been performed in a few laboratories worldwide in the last three decades. Common goals of such research activities are: the prevention of these kinds of accidents, both in existing and potential new nuclear power plants; the minimization of their eventual consequences; and ultimately, a full understanding of the real risks connected with NPPs. At the European Commission Joint Research Centre's Institute for Transuranium Elements, a laser-heating and fast radiance spectro-pyrometry facility is used for the laboratory simulation, on a small scale, of NPP core meltdown, the most common type of severe accident (SA) that can occur in a nuclear reactor as a consequence of a failure of the cooling system. This simulation tool permits fast and effective high-temperature measurements on real nuclear materials, such as plutonium and minor actinide-containing fission fuel samples. In this respect, and in its capability to produce large amount of data concerning materials under extreme conditions, the current experimental approach is certainly unique. For current and future concepts of NPP, example results are presented on the melting behavior of some different types of nuclear fuels: uranium-plutonium oxides, carbides, and nitrides. Results on the high-temperature interaction of oxide fuels with containment materials are also briefly shown.

A New Look at the Structural and Magnetic Properties of Potassium Neptunate K2NpO4 Combining XRD, XANES Spectroscopy, and Low-Temperature Heat Capacity.

The physicochemical properties of the potassium neptunate K2NpO4 have been investigated in this work using X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Np-L3 edge, and low-temperature heat capacity measurements. A Rietveld refinement of the crystal structure is reported for the first time. The Np(VI) valence state has been confirmed by the XANES data, and the absorption edge threshold of the XANES spectrum has been correlated to the Mössbauer isomer shift value reported in the literature. The standard entropy and heat capacity of K2NpO4 have been derived at 298.15 K from the low-temperature heat capacity data. The latter suggest the existence of a magnetic ordering transition around 25.9 K, most probably of the ferromagnetic type.

Investigating the highest melting temperature materials: A laser melting study of the TaC-HfC system.

TaC, HfC and their solid solutions are promising candidate materials for thermal protection structures in hypersonic vehicles because of their very high melting temperatures (>4000 K) among other properties. The melting temperatures of slightly hypostoichiometric TaC, HfC and three solid solution compositions (Ta1-xHfxC, with x = 0.8, 0.5 and 0.2) have long been identified as the highest known. In the current research, they were reassessed, for the first time in the last fifty years, using a laser heating technique. They were found to melt in the range of 4041-4232 K, with HfC having the highest and TaC the lowest. Spectral radiance of the hot samples was measured in situ, showing that the optical emissivity of these compounds plays a fundamental role in their heat balance. Independently, the results show that the melting point for HfC0.98, (4232 ± 84) K, is the highest recorded for any compound studied until now.

Investigation of sulphur isotope variation due to different processes applied during uranium ore concentrate production.

The applicability and limitations of sulphur isotope ratio as a nuclear forensic signature have been studied. The typically applied leaching methods in uranium mining processes were simulated for five uranium ore samples and the n(34S)/n(32S) ratios were measured. The sulphur isotope ratio variation during uranium ore concentrate (UOC) production was also followed using two real-life sample sets obtained from industrial UOC production facilities. Once the major source of sulphur is revealed, its appropriate application for origin assessment can be established. Our results confirm the previous assumption that process reagents have a significant effect on the n(34S)/n(32S) ratio, thus the sulphur isotope ratio is in most cases a process-related signature.

Further insights into the chemistry of the Bi-U-O system.

Cubic fluorite-type phases have been reported in the U(IV)O2-Bi2O3 system for the entire compositional range, but an unusual non-linear variation of the lattice parameter with uranium substitution has been observed. In the current extensive investigation of the uranium(iv) oxide-bismuth(iii) oxide system, this behaviour of the lattice parameter evolution with composition has been confirmed and its origin identified. Even under inert atmosphere at 800 °C, U(IV) oxidises to U(V)/U(VI) as a function of the substitution degree. Thus, using a combination of three methods (XRD, XANES and Raman) we have identified the formation of the BiU(V)O4 and Bi2U(VI)O6 compounds, within this series. Moreover, we present here the Rietveld refinement of BiU(V)O4 at room temperature and we report the thermal expansion of both BiU(V)O4 and Bi2U(VI)O6 compounds.

Structural Properties and Charge Distribution of the Sodium Uranium, Neptunium, and Plutonium Ternary Oxides: A Combined X-ray Diffraction and XANES Study.

The charge distributions in α-Na2UO4, Na3NpO4, α-Na2NpO4, Na4NpO5, Na5NpO6, Na2PuO3, Na4PuO5, and Na5PuO6 are investigated in this work using X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the U-L3, Np-L3, and Pu-L3 edges. In addition, a Rietveld refinement of monoclinic Na2PuO3, in space group C2/c, is reported for the first time, and the existence of the isostructural Na2NpO3 phase is revealed. In contrast to measurements in solution, the number of published XANES data for neptunium and plutonium solid phases with a valence state higher than IV is very limited. The present results cover a wide range of oxidation states, namely, IV to VII, and can serve as reference for future investigations. The sodium actinide series show a variety of local coordination geometries, and correlations between the shape of the XANES spectra and the local structural environments are discussed herein.

Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, and low temperature heat capacity of α-Na2NpO4.

The physical and chemical properties at low temperatures of hexavalent disodium neptunate α-Na2NpO4 are investigated for the first time in this work using Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, and heat capacity measurements. The Np(VI) valence state is confirmed by the isomer shift value of the Mössbauer spectra, and the local structural environment around the neptunium cation is related to the fitted quadrupole coupling constant and asymmetry parameters. Moreover, magnetic hyperfine splitting is reported below 12.5 K, which could indicate magnetic ordering at this temperature. This interpretation is further substantiated by the existence of a λ-peak at 12.5 K in the heat capacity curve, which is shifted to lower temperatures with the application of a magnetic field, suggesting antiferromagnetic ordering. However, the absence of any anomaly in the magnetization and magnetic susceptibility data shows that the observed transition is more intricate. In addition, the heat capacity measurements suggest the existence of a Schottky-type anomaly above 15 K associated with a low-lying electronic doublet found about 60 cm(-1) above the ground state doublet. The possibility of a quadrupolar transition associated with a ground state pseudoquartet is thereafter discussed. The present results finally bring new insights into the complex magnetic and electronic peculiarities of α-Na2NpO4.