Electronic absorption spectroscopy of alkaline earth metal uranate compounds

Summary Electronic absorption spectra have been measured by diffuse reflectance for MgUO_4–x, MgU₃O₉, CaUo)_4–x, Ca₂UO₅, Ca₃UO₆, Ca₂U₃O₁₁, CaU₂O₇, CaU₄O₁₂, SrUO₃, SrUO₄, SrUO_3.67, Sr₂U₃O₁₁, SrU₄O_12.8, Sr₂UO₅, Sr₃UO₆, BaUO₄, Ba₃UO₆, BaU₂O₇, Ba₂U₂O₇ and Ba₂U₃O₁₁.Measurements in the near i.r. region of the spectrum have identified transitions arising within the manifold of the 5f electronic levels which indicate the presence of uranium(V) in certain compounds. The portion of the spectrum between 20 000 and 30 000 cm^–1 is shown to contain charge-transfer transitions and, in certain instances, vibrational progressions which are characteristic of the symmetry of the UO₆ octahedron in the solid state structure.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of alkaline earth metal uranate complexes

Summary X-ray photoelectron spectra for MgUO_4–x, MgU₃O_8.9, CaUO_4–x, Ca₂UO₅, Ca₃UO₆, Ca₂U₃O₁₁, CaU₂O₇, CaU₄O₁₂, SrUO₄, SrUO_3.67, Sr₂U₃O₁₁, SrU₄O_12.8, Sr₂UO₅, Sr₃UO₆, BaUO₄, Ba₃UO₆, BaU₂O₇, Ba₂U₂O₇ and Ba₂U₃O₁₁ have been recorded.Recorded O(1s) peak positions range from 529.5 to 533.4 eV and certain trends can be related to data obtained from other studies. By contrast, the range of U(4f) peak positions is much smaller totalling 0.7 eV. All compounds show satellite structure to the high binding energy side of the U(4f) peaks. Satellites separated byca. 10 eV from the main peaks are assigned to a transition from the uranium-oxygen bonding band to the U(6d) conduction band.     

Die Reduktion von Ammoniumpolyuranat zu Urandioxid

Zusammenfassung Es werden die Resultate des isothermen Zerfalles und der Reduktion vonstandardisiertem Ammoniumpolyuranat im Bereich von 285 bis 463° C (in Wasserstoff) wiedergegeben. Der Zerfall zu UO₃ wurde schon bei einer Temp. unter 290° C festgestellt, diese Phase blieb jedoch darauf stabil bis 320° C. Zwischen 320° C und 380° C verläuft die Reduktion zu U₃O₈, über 380° C aber zu UO₂. Die Aktivierungsenergien bei der Reduktion von UO₃ zu U₃O₈ und von U₃O₈ zu UO₂ wurden berechnet, und zwar 32,2 kcal/g-mol und 41,7 kcal/g-mol. Die Ergebnisse können mit den Literaturangaben für die Reduktion der einzelnen Phasen UO₃ und U₃O₈ verglichen werden. Die beobachteten Unterschiede weisen auf den Einfluß der Aktivität der Präparate hin.

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The isothermal decomposition and reduction of ammonium polyuranate (ADU) was investigated in the temperature interval 285–463° C in hydrogen. The formation of UO₃ was noticed below 290° C and this product was stable up to 320° C. U₃O₈ was stable from this temperature on up to 380° C, where the reduction to UO₂ was observed. The activation energies 32,2 Kcal/mole and 41.7 Kcal/mole were calculated for the reduction of UO₃ to U₃O₈ and for the reduction of U₃O₈ to UO₂, respectively. The results are comparable with the published data on reduction of separate phases UO₃ and U₃O₈. Some differences noticed show the influence of the activities of the products.

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Dissolution of uranium oxides under alkaline oxidizing conditions

Bench scale experiments were conducted to determine the dissolution characteristics of UO₂, U₃O₈, and UO₃ in aqueous peroxide-containing carbonate solutions. The experimental parameters investigated included carbonate countercation (NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺) and H₂O₂ concentration. The carbonate countercation had a dramatic influence on the dissolution behavior of UO₂ in 1 M carbonate solutions containing 0.1 M H₂O₂, with the most rapid dissolution occurring in (NH₄)₂CO₃ solution. The initial dissolution rate (y) of UO₂ in 1 M (NH₄)₂CO₃ increased linearly with peroxide concentration (x) ranging from 0.05 to 2 M according to: y = 2.41x + 1.14. The trend in initial dissolution rates for the three U oxides under study was UO₃ ≫ U₃O₈ > UO₂.     

Heat capacity measurement of U1?yLayO2 (y=0.044, 0.090, 0.142) from 300 to 1500 K

Heat capacities of U_1–yLa_yO₂ were measured by means of direct heating pulse calorimetry in the temperature range from 300 to 1500 K. An anomalous increase in the heat capacity curve of each sample was observed similarly to the case of U_1–yGd_yO₂, found recently in our laboratory. As the lanthanum content of U_1–yLa_yO₂ increased, the onset temperature of an anomalous increase in the heat capacity decreased and the excess heat capacity increased. The enthalpy of activation (H_f) and the entropy of activation (S_f) of the thermally excited process, which cause the excess heat capacity were obtained to be 2.14, 1.63 and 1.50 eV and 39.4, 34.2 and 31.8 J·K^–1·mol^–1 for U_0.956La_0.044O₂, U_0.910La_0.090O₂ and U_0.858La_0.142O₂, respectively. The values at zero La content extrapolated by using the data of H_f and S_f for U_1–yLa_yO₂ were in good agreement with the experimental values of undoped UO₂ so far reported, similarly to the case of Gddoped UO₂. The electrical conductivities of U_1–yLa_yO₂ (y=0.044 and 0.142) were also measured as a function temperature. No anomaly was seen in the electrical conductivity curve. It may be concluded that the excess heat capacity originates from the predominant contribution of the formation of oxygen clusters and from the small contribution of the formation of electron-hole pairs.     

Elektrometrische Untersuchungen von Uranylarseniten

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe der pH- und konduktometrischen Titrationen wurde die Stöchiometrie der Verbindungen untersucht, die bei der Reaktion von Uranylnitrat mit Alkali-Ortho-, Pyro- und Metaarseniten entstehen. Der Verlauf der Titrationskurven zeigt klar die Bildung der Verbindungen 3 UO₂O · As₂O₃, 2 UO₂O · As₂O₃ und UO₂O · As₂O₃ in den pH-Bereichen 7,0–9,9 bzw. 6,0–7,5 bzw. 5,0–6,8. Der Anteil von Uranyl in den Alkaliarseniten wächst mit wachsender Konzentration von Na₂O. Die Bildung der Uranylarsenite ist also eine Funktion der H⁺-Ionenkonzentration. Wir fanden, daß die Ausfällung dieser Verbindungen fast quantitativ ist.

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The stoichiometry of the compounds formed by the interaction of uranyl nitrate and different alkali arsenites (ortho-, pyro-, and meta-) have been investigated by means of pH and conductometric titrations. The breaks and inflections in titration curves provide cogent evidence for the formation of 3 UO₂O · As₂O₃, 2 UO₂O · As₂O₃ and UO₂O · As₂O₃ in pH ranges 7.0–9.9, 6.0–7.5 and 5.0–6.8 respectively. The proportion of uranyl increases with the increase in the concentration of Na₂O molecules in alkali arsenites. The formation of uranyl arsenites is thus a function of H⁺ ion concentration. The precipitation of these compounds has been found to be almost quantitative.

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The Effect of Guest Metal Ions on the Reduction Potentials of Uranium(VI) Complexes: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations

Two mononuclear uranyl complexes, [UO₂L¹] ( 1 ) and [UO₂L²] ⋅ 0.5 CH₃CN ⋅ 0.25 CH₃OH ( 2 ), have been synthesized from two multidentate N₃O₄ donor ligands, N,N′-bis(5-methoxysalicylidene)diethylenetriamine (H₂L¹) and N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)diethylenetriamine (H₂L²), respectively, and have been structurally characterized. Both complexes 1 and 2 showed a reversible U^VI/U^V couple at −1.571 and −1.519 V, respectively, in cyclic voltammetry. The reduction potential of the U^VI/U^V couple shifted towards more positive potential on addition of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Ag⁺ metal ions to acetonitrile solutions of complex 2 , and the resulting potential was correlated with the Lewis acidity of the metal ions and was also justified by theoretical DFT calculations. No such shift in reduction potential was observed for complex 1 . All four bimetallic products, [UO₂L²Li_0.5](ClO₄)_0.5 ( 3 ), [UO₂L²Na(ClO₄)]₂ ( 4 ), [UO₂L²Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)] ( 5 ), and [(UO₂L²)₂K(H₂O)₂]PF₆ ( 6 ), formed on addition of the Li⁺, Na⁺, Ag⁺, and K⁺ metal ions, respectively, to acetonitrile solutions of complex 2 , were isolated in the solid state and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In all the species, the inner N₃O₂ donor set of the ligand encompasses the equatorial plane of the uranyl ion and the outer open compartment with O₂O′₂ donor sites hosts the second metal ion.     

The Energy Landscape of Uranyl–Peroxide Species

Nanoscale uranyl peroxide clusters containing UO₂²⁺ groups bonded through peroxide bridges to form polynuclear molecular species (polyoxometalates) exist both in solution and in the solid state. There is an extensive family of clusters containing 28 uranium atoms (U₂₈ clusters), with an encapsulated anion in the center, for example, [UO₂(O₂)_3?x(OH)_x^4?], [Nb(O₂)₄^3?], or [Ta(O₂)₄^3?]. The negative charge of these clusters is balanced by alkali ions, both encapsulated, and located exterior to the cluster. The present study reports measurement of enthalpy of formation for two such U₂₈ compounds, one of which is uranyl centered and the other is peroxotantalate centered. The [(Ta(O₂)₄]‐centered U₂₈ capsule is energetically more stable than the [(UO₂)(O₂)₃]‐centered capsule. These data, along with our prior studies on other uranyl–peroxide solids, are used to explore the energy landscape and define thermochemical trends in alkali–uranyl–peroxide systems. It was suggested that the energetic role of charge‐balancing alkali ions and their electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged uranyl–peroxide species is the dominant factor in defining energetic stability. These experimental data were supported by DFT calculations, which agree that the [(Ta(O₂)₄]‐centered U₂₈ capsule is more stable than the uranyl‐centered capsule. Moreover, the relative stability is controlled by the interactions of the encapsulated alkalis with the encapsulated anion. Thus, the role of alkali‐anion interactions was shown to be important at all length scales of uranyl–peroxide species: in both comparing clusters to clusters; and clusters to monomers or extended solids.     

ChemInform Abstract: Density Functional Theory Calculations of UO2 Oxidation: Evolution of UO2‐x,U4O9‐y,U3O7, and U3O8.

DFT calculations of UO₂ oxidation indicate stable compounds U₄O_8.889, U₃O₇, and U₃O_7.333, which are based on ordering of split quad‐interstitial clusters.     

Comparative extraction efficiencies of tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl phosphate and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-dihexyloctanamide for uranium recovery using supercritical CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Extraction of uranium from tissue paper, synthetic soil, and from its oxides (UO₂, UO₃ and U₃O₈) was carried out using supercritical carbon dioxide modified with methanol solutions of extractants such as tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) or N,N-dihexyl octanamide (DHOA). The effects of temperature, pressure, extractant/nitric acid (nitrate) concentration, and of hydrogen peroxide on uranium extraction were investigated. The dissolution and extraction of uranium in supercritical CO₂ modified with TBP, from oxide samples followed the order: UO₃ ≫ UO₂ > U₃O₈. Addition of hydrogen peroxide in the modifier solution enhanced the dissolution/extraction of uranium in dynamic mode. DHOA appeared better than TBP for recovery of uranium from different oxide samples. Similar enhancement in uranium extraction was observed in static mode experiments in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Uranium estimation in the extracted fraction was carried out by spectrophotometry employing 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (Br-PADAP) as the chromophore.     

Thallium(I)-Uranates(VI)

The solid state preparation, thermal and hydrolytic characteristics of thallium(I)—uranates(VI) are described. The phases identified were Tl₂UO₄, Tl₂U₂O₇ and a range of solid solution (Tl₂O. 2,33 UO₃? Tl₂O. 6 UO₃). The thallium uranates are isostructural with the corresponding potassium uranates. Tl₂U₂O₇ is the stable phase formed from the other uranates on hydrolytic treatment. The thallium uranates lose thallium(I) oxide on heating to temperatures above 750°C and the order of thermal stability is Tl₂U₆O₁₉～Tl₂U₃O₁₀～Tl₂U₂O₇»Tl₂UO₄.     

High-temperature X-ray diffraction and specific heat studies on GdAlO3, Gd3Al5O12 and Gd4Al2O9

Gadolinium aluminates, GdAlO₃, Gd₃Al₅O₁₂ and Gd₄Al₂O₉ were synthesized by the solution combustion method. Very fine particles in the nanoparticle range of ∼10-20 nm could be prepared by this method as evidenced by surface area measurement by multipoint BET method. Thermal studies on these compounds were carried out using high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. The thermal expansion coefficients of GdAlO₃, Gd₃Al₅O₁₂ and Gd₄Al₂O₉ were calculated from the lattice parameter data and specific heats were calculated from DSC data. The lattice parameters of GdAlO₃ and Gd₃Al₅O₁₂ were found to increase linearly with temperature whereas Gd₄Al₂O₉ did not show a linear trend. The specific heats of these compounds show an increasing trend with increase in aluminum atom fraction. Based on the thermodynamic data available in the literature and the specific heat data obtained in this study, oxygen potential diagram was constructed at 1000 K.     

Defect chemistry of uranium oxides

Uranium oxides are known as nonstoichiometric compounds whose composition changes according to external conditions such as temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The change of composition caused by the formation of defect structure results in a change of their properties. In this paper, the compositional changes of UO₂ and doped UO₂ [(U, M)O₂; M=La, Ti, Pu, Th, Nb, Cr, etc.] and also those of other uranium oxides (U₄O₉, U₃O₈) are shown against oxygen partial pressure. From the results of doped UO₂, it is concluded that the valence control rule holds to a first approximation. The defect structures are estimated both from log x vs. log Po₂ (x: deviation from the stoichiometric composition and Po₂: oxygen partial pressure) and log vs. log Po₂ (: electrical conductivity) relations. The defect structures of UO₂ and doped UO₂ are derived based on the Willis model for UO_2+x. The detect structure of U₄O₉ phase is similar to that of UO_2+x, but the defect structures of U₃O₈ phase are complicated due to the existence of many higher-order phase transitions. The thermodynamic data such as the partial molar enthalpy and entropy and the heat capacity are important to characterize the defect structure. The high temperature heat capacities of UO₂ doped with Gd show pronounced increases at high temperatures the onset temperature decreases as the dopant content increases. The increase of heat capacity is interpreted to be due to the formation of lattice defects. The heat capacity measurements on U₄O₉ and U₃O₈ clucidate the presence of the phase transition. The mechanisms of these phase transitions are discussed.     

Equilibrium constants of some protonated,nonprotonated and hydroxo complexes of uranium(VI) with xylenol orange

Summary The species, UO₂H₃L^–, UO₂H₂L^2–, UO₂HL^3–, UO₂L^4–, UO₂(OH)L^5– and UO₂(OH)₂L^6– are found in the equilibria between uranyl ions and 3,3-bis[N,N-di(carboxymethyl)-aminomethyl]-o-cresolsulphonphthalein (H₆L; xylenol orange; dcac) in aqueous solution. The equilibria have been studied by the potentiometric method at 25° and at an ionic strength of 0.1M (KNO₃). New algebraic equations have been employed to evaluate the equilibrium constants.     

The Phase Relations in the System In2O3–TiO2–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C

The phase relations in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C are determined by a classical quenching method. In this system, there are four pseudobinary compounds, In₂TiO₅, MgTi₂O₅ (pseudobrookite type), MgTiO₃ (ilmenite type), and Mg₂TiO₄ (spinel type) at 1100°C. At 1350°C, in addition to these compounds there exist a spinel-type solid solution Mg_2−xIn_2xTi_1−xO₄ (0≤x≤1) and a compound In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ with lattice constants a=5.9236(7) Å, b=3.3862(4) Å, c=6.3609(7) Å, β=108.15(1)°, and q=0.369, which is isostructural with the monoclinic In₃Ti₂FeO₁₀ in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO. The relation between the lattice constants of the spinel phase and the composition nearly satisfies Vegard's law. In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ extends a solid solution range to In₂₀Ti₁₇Mg₃O₆₇ with lattice constants of a=5.9230(5) Å, b=3.3823(3) Å, c=6.3698(6) Å, β=108.10(5)°, and q=0.360. The distributions of constituent cations in the solid solutions are discussed in terms of their ionic radius and site preference effect.     

Compositions of the condensed medium and gas phase forming upon heating of uranium oxides (UO2, UO3, U3O8, and U4O9) in argon and oxygen atmosphere: Computer experiment

Thermodynamic modeling methods have been used for calculating the compositions of the condensed medium and gas phase forming upon heating of the oxides UO₂, UO₃, U₃O₈, and U₄O₉ at constant pressure (p = 0.1 MPa) in the temperature range 300–2000 K in an inert (Ar) or oxidative (O₂) atmosphere. The stability of uranium oxides and the state of aggregation of the condensed medium have been studied as a function of temperature. Original Russian Text ? G.K. Moiseev, A.B. Shubin, T.V. Kulikova, A.L. Ivanovskii, 2008, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 6, pp. 985–989.     

Phase-pure nanocrystalline Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> for a lithium-ion battery

Phase-pure nanocrystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ with BET surface areas between 183 and 196 m²/g was prepared via an improved synthetic protocol from lithium ethoxide and titanium(IV) butoxide. The phase purity was proved by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Thin-film electrodes were prepared from two nanocrystalline samples of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ and one microcrystalline commercial sample. Li-insertion behavior of these electrodes was related to the particle size.Presented at the 3rd International Meeting on Advanced Batteries and Accumulators, 16–20 June 2002, Brno, Czech Republic     

Preparation and characterization of lithium ion-conducting glass-ceramics in the Li1 + xCrxGe2 − x(PO4)3 system

Li₂O–Cr₂O₃–GeO₂–P₂O₅ based glasses were synthesized by a conventional melt-quenching method and successfully converted into glass-ceramics through heat treatment. Experimental results of DTA, XRD, ac impedance techniques and FESEM indicated that Li_1.4Cr_0.4Ge_1.6(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramics treated at 900 °C for 12 h in the Li_1 + xCr_xGe_2 − x(PO₄)₃ (x = 0–0.8) system exhibited the best glass stability against crystallization and the highest ambient conductivity value of 6.81 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm with an activation energy as low as 26.9 kJ/mol. In addition, the Li_1.4Cr_0.4Ge_1.6(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramics displayed good chemical stability against lithium metal at room temperature. The good thermal and chemical stability, excellent conducting property, easy preparation and low cost make it promising to be used as solid-state electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries.     

Temperature and ionic strength influence on U(VI/V) and U(IV/III) redox potentials in aqueous acidic and carbonate solutions

Redox potentials: E(UO ₂ ²⁺ /UO ₂ ⁺ )=60±4 mV/NHE, E(U⁴⁺/U³⁺)=–630±4mV/NHE measured at 25°C in acidic medium (HClO₄ 1M) using cyclic voltametry are in accordance with the published data. From 5°C to 55°C the variations of the potentials of these systems (measured against Ag/AgCl electrode) are linear. The entropies are then constant: [S(UO ₂ ²⁺ /UO ₂ ⁺ )–S(Ag/AgCl)]/F=0±0.3 mV/°C, [S(U⁴⁺/U³⁺)–S(Ag/AgCl)]/F=1.5±0.3 mV/°C. From 5°C to 55°C, in carbonate medium (Na₂CO₃=0.2M), the Specific Ionic Interaction Theory can model the experimental results up to I=2M (Na⁺, ClO ₄ ^– , CO ₃ ^2– ): E(UO₂(CO₃) ₃ ^4– /UO₂(CO₃) ₃ ^5– )=–778±5 mv/NHE (I=0, T=25°C, (25°C)=(UO₂(CO₃) ₃ ^4– , Na⁺)–(UO₂(CO₃) ₃ ^5– , Na⁺)=0.92 kg/mole, S(UO₂(CO₃) ₃ ^4– /UO₂(CO₃) ₃ ^5– =–1.8±0.5 mV/°C (I=0), =(Cl^–, Na⁺)=(1.14–0.007T) kg/mole. The U(VI/V) potential shift, between carbonate and acidic media, is used to calculate (at I=0,25°C):

Specific absorption parameters for uranium octoxide and dioxide applicable to the ICRP Publication 66 respiratory tract model

Literature data from in vivo chest measurements and urinary excretion rates of individuals exposed to U₃O₈ and UO₂ were used to compare the results predicted by different models with empirical observations in humans. As a result the use of the respiratory tract model proposed in ICRP Publication 66 with its default absorption parameters underestimates urinary excretion of inhaled U₃O₈ and UO₂. The new respiratory tract model also overpredicts the Fecal/Urine activity ratio, independently of the systemic model. For U₃O₈ and UO₂ the choice of systemic model has very little influence on the predicted urinary excretion of inhaled compounds. On the other way, the choice of the respiratory tract model does influence the predicted urinary excretion significantly. In this work specific absorption parameters for U₃O₈ and UO₂ were derived to be used in the respiratory tract model proposed in ICRP Publication 66. The predicted biokinetics of these compounds were compared with those derived for Type M and Type S compounds of uranium.