Grain growth of NpO2 and UO2 nanocrystals.

We report on the crystallite growth of nanometric NpO2 and UO2 powders. The AnO2 nanoparticles (An = U and Np) were synthesized by hydrothermal decomposition of the corresponding actinide(iv) oxalates. NpO2 powder was isothermally annealed between 950 °C and 1150 °C and UO2 between 650 °C and 1000 °C. The crystallite growth was then followed by high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD). The activation energies for the growth of crystallites of UO2 and NpO2 were determined to be 264(26) kJ mol-1 and 442(32) kJ mol-1, respectively, with a growth exponent n = 4. The value of the exponent n and the low activation energy suggest that the crystalline growth is rate-controlled by the mobility of the pores, which migrate by atomic diffusion along the pore surfaces. We could thus estimate the cation self-diffusion coefficient along the surface in UO2, NpO2 and PuO2. While data for surface diffusion coefficients for NpO2 and PuO2 are lacking in the literature, the comparison with literature data for UO2 supports further the hypothesis of a surface diffusion controlled growth mechanism.

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.

Coprecipitation of actinide peroxide salts in the U-Th and U-Pu systems and their thermal decomposition.

The uranium and plutonium co-conversion process constitutes a continuous subject of interest for MOx fuel fabrication. Among the various routes considered, chemical coprecipitation by the salt effect has been widely investigated regarding its simplicity of integration between the partitioning and purification steps of the PUREX process, and the straightforward recovery of precursors that are easily converted into oxide phases by thermal decomposition. The present study focuses on the coprecipitation behavior of U-Th and U-Pu actinide peroxide mixed systems by examining the precipitation yields and settling properties for nitric acidity in the range of 1 to 3 M and hydrogen peroxide concentration in the range of 4.5 to 7 M. The precipitated solids have been characterized by powder XRD, IR and Raman spectroscopy, laser granulometry and SEM-EDS analyses revealing the synthesis of studtite and actinide(IV) peroxo-nitrates as aggregated particles. The actinide solid phases are uniformly distributed within the filtered cakes. The precursor thermal decomposition results in the formation of oxide phases at low temperature according to a sequential release of water molecules, peroxide ligands and nitrate ions. The calcination step has a limited effect on the morphology of the powders which remain highly divided. The high precipitation rate of actinides makes this chemical route potentially interesting as a co-precipitation process.

Zirconium Oxalates: Zr(OH)2(C2O4), (H11O5)2[Zr2(C2O4)5(H2O)4], and MM'[Zr(C2O4)3]·xH2O with M and M' = Ammonium, Alkali Metal, and Hydroxonium Ion H2n+1O n + (n = 2, 3, 4).

Crystallized powder of dihydroxide zirconium oxalate Zr(OH)2(C2O4) (ZrOx) was obtained by precipitation and the structure determined from powder X-ray data. The three-dimensional (3D) framework observed in (ZrOx) results from the interconnection of zirconium hydroxide chains 1 ∞[Zr(OH)2]2+ and zirconium oxalate chains 1 ∞[{Zr(C2O4)}2+]. Single crystals of (H11O5)2[Zr2(C2O4)5(H2O)4] (H2Zr2O5) were obtained by evaporation. The structure contains dimeric anions [Zr2(C2O4)5(H2O)4]2- connected through hydrogen bonds to hydroxonium ions (H11O5)+ to create a 3D supramolecular framework. The addition of ammonium or alkali nitrate led to the formation of single crystals of Na2[Zr(C2O4)3]·2H2O (Na2ZrOx3), M(H7O3)[Zr(C2O4)3]·H2O, M = K (KHZrOx3), M = NH4 (NH4HZrOx3), M(H5O2)0.5(H9O4)0.5[Zr(C2O4)3], M = Rb (RbHZrOx3), and M = Cs (CsHZrOx3). For the five compounds, the structure contains ribbons 1 ∞[{ZrOx3}2-] formed by entities Zr(C2O4)4 sharing two oxalates. In (Na2ZrOx3), the shared oxalates are in cis positions and the chain 1 ∞[Zr-Ox] is stepped with a Zr-Zr-Zr angle of 98.27(1)°. In the other compounds, the shared oxalates are in trans positions and the chains 1 ∞[Zr-Ox] are corrugated with Zr-Zr-Zr angles in the range 140.34(1)-141.07(1)°. In the compounds (MHZrOx3), the cohesion between the ribbons is ensured by the alkaline or ammonium cations and the hydroxonium ions (H7O3)+ for M = K, NH4, (H5O2)+, and (H9O4)+ for M = Rb and Cs. During the thermal decomposition of the alkaline-free zirconium oxalates (ZrOx), (H2Zr2Ox5), and (NH4HZrOx3), the formed amorphous zirconia is accompanied by carbon; the oxidation of carbon at about 540 °C to carbon dioxide is concomitant with the crystallization of the stabilized tetragonal zirconia.

Structural Variations of 2D and 3D Lanthanide Oxalate Frameworks Hydrothermally Synthesized in the Presence of Hydrazinium Ions.

Depending on the nature of the 4f element, six different lanthanide oxalate families were hydrothermally synthesized in the presence of hydrazinium ions. Four of them correspond to the general formula N2H5[Ln(C2O4)2]·nH2O but have different structural formulas according to the number of coordinated water molecules or hydrazinium ions and the structural arrangement, N2H5[La(C2O4)2] (1); N2H5[{Ln2(N2H5)}(C2O4)4]·4H2O, Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm (2); N2H5[{Ln(H2O)}(C2O4)2], Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho (3); N2H5[Ln(C2O4)2]·nH2O, Ln = Yb, n = 3, and Lu, n = 2 (5). The two others do not contain hydrazinium ions. Compound 4, obtained only with Ln = Er and Tm, contains a neutral lanthanide oxalate arrangement, [{Ln(H2O)}2(C2O4)3]. Finally, in the experimental conditions, crystals of compound 6 were obtained only for Lu, [{Lu(H2O)2}2(C2O4)3]·2H2O. For Ln = La to Ho, with coordination number CN = 9, 3D oxalate-lanthanide anionic frameworks are formed for the largest Ln, from La to Sm, and 2D networks are obtained for the smaller, from Sm to Ho. For Ln = Er to Lu, with CN = 8, 3D oxalate-lanthanide frameworks are formed; a 2D network is obtained only for the smaller lanthanide, Lu. The structures of compounds 1, 3 for Ln = Tb (3-Tb) and Ho (3-Ho), 4 for Ln = Er (4-Er), 5 for Ln = Yb (5-Yb) and Lu (5-Lu), and (6) were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data in space groups P21/c, Pbca, P21/n, Fddd and P1̅, respectively. Thermal behaviors were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and high temperature powder X-ray diffraction. Optical properties were measured by UV-vis and IR spectroscopy.

Crystal Growth in the Thorium-TEDGA-Oxalate-Nitrate System: Description and Comparison of the Main Structural Features.

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of four new compounds based on thorium and tetraethyldiglycolamide (TEDGA), [Th(TEDGA)2(C2O4)][NO3]2[H2C2O4].6H2O (1), [Th(TEDGA)2(C2O4)2][H2C2O4]2.2H2O (2), [Th(TEDGA)4][NO3]4.4H2O (3), and [Th2(C2O4)3(TEDGA)4][NO3][HC2O4][H2C2O4]4.7H2O (4). All of them are obtained by successive crystallization from a unique medium containing thorium nitrate and TEDGA, in the presence of oxalic acid. Compound (1) ( a = b = 18.7140(12) Å, c = 12.9212(9) Å, S.G. P42212) crystallized at first from a gel obtained by slow evaporation of the medium. When compound (1) is left in gel for a period of some weeks, it tends to disappear and to be replaced by crystals of (2) ( a = 12.246(2) Å, b = 32.253(5) Å, c = 12.256(2) Å, ß = 106.741(12)°, S.G. P21/ n) and (3) ( a = 26.5966(13) Å, b = 15.4489(7) Å, c = 18.5582(9) Å, ß = 116.528(1)°, S.G. C2/ c). In their turn, solids (2) and (3) disappear from the gel left for some months, and compound (1) crystallizes in mixture with compound (4) ( a = 15.6611(7) Å, b = 17.9082(9) Å, c = 18.1814(7) Å, α = 89.896(2)°, ß = 65.549(2)°, γ = 87.623(2), S.G. P-1). Solving the crystal structure by single crystal diffraction reveals that TEDGA is always coordinated to thorium through its three oxygen atoms. In the mixed-ligands compounds (1), (2), and (4), Th4+ is surrounded by two oxalate ligands and two TEDGA, leading to a 10-fold coordination. The dimensionality of the networks changes from linear chains (1D) (1) to isolated entities (0D) (2) or dimeric units (0D) (4). Compound (3) is formed by the assembly of 12-fold coordinated monomeric entities (0D) in which the thorium cation is surrounded by four TEDGA. This compound is the first example of such a coordination number without nitrate anion included in the coordination sphere of Th.

Insight into the Uranyl Oxyfluoride Topologies through the Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Evidence of a New Oxyfluoride Layer in [(UO2)4F13][Sr3(H2O)8](NO3)·H2O.

A new strontium uranyl oxyfluoride, [(UO2)4F13][Sr3(H2O)8](NO3)·H2O, was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The single-crystal X-ray structure was determined. This compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1̅ (No. 2), with unit cell parameters a = 10.7925(16) Å, b = 10.9183(16) Å, c = 13.231(2) Å, α = 92.570(8)°, ß = 109.147(8)°, γ = 92.778(8)°, V = 1468.1(4) Å3, and Z = 2. The structure is built from uranyl-containing [Formula: see text] chains of tetrameric units of corner-sharing UO2F5 pentagonal bipyramids. These chains are linked through trimeric strontium units to form strontium-uranyl oxyfluoride layers further assembled by nitrate groups. The interlayer space is occupied by free water molecules. This compound was characterized by spectroscopic methods, especially 19F NMR highlighting the many different fluoride sites. Structural relationships with other uranyl oxyfluorides were investigated through the different F/O ratios, the structural building unit, and the structural arrangement.

Characteristics of chemical bonding of pentavalent uranium in La-doped UO2.

The effect of La doping on the electronic structure of U in UO2 was studied using an advanced technique, namely, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in the high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detection (HERFD) mode, at the U 3d3/2 (M4) edge. Thanks to a significant reduction of the core-hole lifetime broadening and distinct chemical shifts of the HERFD-XAS lines, the U(v) formation as a result of La doping was identified. The isolated contribution of U(v) in the M4 HERFD-XAS spectrum reveals the so-called charge-transfer satellites due to the U 5f-O 2p hybridization. The analysis of the experimental data within the framework of the Anderson impurity model (AIM) indicates a significant change in the characteristics and degree of covalency for the chemical bonding in the U(v) subsystem of UO2 as compared to undoped UO2, which is a Mott-Hubbard system. The results are also supported by AIM calculations of X-ray photoelectron and optical absorption data.

Use of HERFD-XANES at the U L3- and M4-Edges To Determine the Uranium Valence State on [Ni(H2O)4]3[U(OH,H2O)(UO2)8O12(OH)3].

We report and discuss here the unambiguous uranium valence state determination on the complex compound [Ni(H2O)4]3[U(OH,H2O)(UO2)8O12(OH)3] by using high-energy-resolution fluorescence detection-X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (HERFD-XANES). The spectra at both U L3- and M4-edges confirm that all five nonequivalent U atoms are solely in the hexavalent form in this compound, as previously suggested by bond-valence-sum analysis and X-ray diffraction pattern refinement. Moreover, the presence of the preedge feature, due to the 2p3/2-5f quadrupole transition, has been observed in the U L3-edge HERFD-XANES spectrum, in agreement with theoretical and experimental observations of other uranium-based compounds. Recently, this feature has been proposed as a possible tool to determine the uranium oxidation state in a manner similar to that of 3d and 4d metals. Nevertheless, this feature is also very sensitive to the uranium local environment, as revealed by our theoretical calculations, and consequently could not be used to attribute without ambiguity the uranium valence state. In contrast, U M4-edge HERFD-XANES appears to be the most straightforward and reliable way to assess the uranium valence state in very complex materials such as [Ni(H2O)4]3[U(OH,H2O)(UO2)8O12(OH)3] or a mixture of compounds.

Hydrazinium lanthanide oxalates: synthesis, structure and thermal reactivity of N2H5[Ln2(C2O4)4(N2H5)]·4H2O, Ln = Ce, Nd.

New hydrazinium lanthanide oxalates N2H5[Ln2(C2O4)4(N2H5)]·4H2O, Ln = Ce (Ce-HyOx) and Nd (Nd-HyOx), were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction at 150 °C between lanthanide nitrate, oxalic acid and hydrazine solutions. The structure of the Nd compound was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, space group P21/c with a = 16.315(4), b = 12.127(3), c = 11.430(2) Å, ß = 116.638(4)°, V = 2021.4(7) Å(3), Z = 4, and R1 = 0.0313 for 4231 independent reflections. Two distinct neodymium polyhedra are formed, NdO9 and NdO8N, an oxygen of one monodentate oxalate in the former being replaced by a nitrogen atom of a coordinated hydrazinium ion in the latter. The infrared absorption band at 1005 cm(-1) confirms the coordination of N2H5(+) to the metal. These polyhedra are connected through µ2 and µ3 oxalate ions to form an anionic three-dimensional neodymium-oxalate arrangement. A non-coordinated charge-compensating hydrazinium ion occupies, with water molecules, the resulting tunnels. The N-N stretching frequencies of the infrared spectra demonstrate the existence of the two types of hydrazine ions. Thermal reactivity of these hydrazinium oxalates and of the mixed isotypic Ce/Nd (CeNd-HyOx) oxalate were studied by using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses coupled with gas analyzers, and high temperature X-ray diffraction. Under air, fine particles of CeO2 and Ce(0.5)Nd(0.5)O(1.75) are formed at low temperature from Ce-HyOx and CeNd-HyOx, respectively, thanks to a decomposition/oxidation process. Under argon flow, dioxymonocyanamides Ln2O2CN2 are formed.

Crystal growth and first crystallographic characterization of mixed uranium(IV)-plutonium(III) oxalates.

The mixed-actinide uranium(IV)-plutonium(III) oxalate single crystals (NH4)0.5[Pu(III)0.5U(IV)0.5(C2O4)2·H2O]·nH2O (1) and (NH4)2.7Pu(III)0.7U(IV)1.3(C2O4)5·nH2O (2) have been prepared by the diffusion of different ions through membranes separating compartments of a triple cell. UV-vis, Raman, and thermal ionization mass spectrometry analyses demonstrate the presence of both uranium and plutonium metal cations with conservation of the initial oxidation state, U(IV) and Pu(III), and the formation of mixed-valence, mixed-actinide oxalate compounds. The structure of 1 and an average structure of 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and were solved by direct methods and Fourier difference techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first mixed uranium(IV)-plutonium(III) compounds to be structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1, space group P4/n, a = 8.8558(3) Å, b = 7.8963(2) Å, Z = 2, consists of layers formed by four-membered rings of the two actinide metals occupying the same crystallographic site connected through oxalate ions. The actinide atoms are nine-coordinated by oxygen atoms from four bidentate oxalate ligands and one water molecule, which alternates up and down the layer. The single-charged cations and nonbonded water molecules are disordered in the same crystallographic site. For compound 2, an average structure has been determined in space group P6/mmm with a = 11.158(2) Å and c = 6.400(1) Å. The honeycomb-like framework [Pu(III)0.7U(IV)1.3(C2O4)5](2.7-) results from a three-dimensional arrangement of mixed (U0.65Pu0.35)O10 polyhedra connected by five bis-bidentate µ(2)-oxalate ions in a trigonal-bipyramidal configuration.

Linear alkyl diamine-uranium-phosphate systems: U(VI) to U(IV) reduction with ethylenediamine.

Mild-hydrothermal reactions in acidic medium using 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, and 1,5-diaminopentane as structure directing agents led to three-dimensional (3D) uranyl phosphates (CH2)3(NH3)2{[(UO2)(H2O)][(UO2)(PO4)]4} (C3U5P4), (CH2)4(NH3)2{[(UO2)(H2O)][(UO2)(PO4)]4} (C4U5P4) and (CH2)5(NH3)2{[(UO2)(H2O)][(UO2)(PO4)]4} (C5U5P4). The structures of (C4U5P4) and (C5U5P4) were solved in the space group Cmc21 using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The compounds are isostructural to the corresponding uranyl vanadates and contain the same 3D inorganic framework built from uranyl-phosphate layers of uranophane-type anion topology pillared by [UO6(H2O)] pentagonal bipyramids. In neutral or basic medium the alkyl diamines decompose to give ammonium uranyl phosphate trihydrate. In the same conditions by using ethylenediamine, unexpected reduction of uranium(VI) to uranium(IV) occurs leading to the formation of (CH2)2(NH3)2[U(PO4)2] (C2UP2) single crystals. C2UP2 undergoes a reversible phase transition from triclinic to monoclinic symmetry at about 230 °C. The structure of the two forms results from the stacking of inorganic layers (∞)¹[U(PO4)2]²â», and organic layers containing ethylene diammonium ions, the two layers being linked by hydrogen bonds. Single crystals of (CH2)2(NH3)2[PO3OH] (C2HP) are formed by evaporation of the solution after filtering of C2UP2 single crystals. The structure of C2HP contains infinite (∞)¹[PO3OH]²â» chains connected by (CH2)2(NH3)2²âº ions through hydrogen bonds.

X-Ray diffraction and mu-Raman investigation of the monoclinic-orthorhombic phase transition in Th(1-x)U(x)(C(2)O(4))(2).2H(2)O solid solutions.

A complete Th(1-x)U(x)(C(2)O(4))(2).2H(2)O solid solution was prepared by mild hydrothermal synthesis from a mixture of hydrochloric solutions containing cations and oxalic acid. The crystal structure has been solved from twinned single crystals for x = 0, 0.5, and 1 with monoclinic symmetry, space group C2/c, leading to unit cell parameters of a approximately 10.5 A, b approximately 8.5 A, and c approximately 9.6 A. The crystal structure consists of a two-dimensional arrangement of actinide centers connected through bis-bidentate oxalate ions forming squares. The actinide metal is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms from four oxalate entities and two water oxygen atoms forming a bicapped square antiprism. The connection between the layers is assumed by hydrogen bonds between the water molecules and the oxygen of oxalate of an adjacent layer. Under these conditions, the unit cell contains two independent oxalate ions. From high-temperature mu-Raman and X-ray diffraction studies, the compounds were found to undergo a transition to an orthorhombic form (space group Ccca). The major differences in the structural arrangement concern the symmetry of uranium, which decreases from C2 to D2, leading to a unique oxalate group. Consequently, the nu(s)(C-O) double band observed in the Raman spectra recorded at room temperature turned into a singlet. This transformation was then used to make the phase transition temperature more precise as a function of the uranium content of the sample.