CRTA Study of the Reduction of UO2F2 into UO2 by Dry H2

The reduction of UO₂F₂ by dry H₂ was studied by Controlled Rate EGA, with a special set-up operating under a gas flow under atmospheric pressure. At the constant transformation rate selected, this reduction apparently takes place in one main step, around 450°C (for a total duration of 100 h), followed by a small exothermic step. The final product is a stoichiometric, well crystallized UO₂. XRD analysis shows the occurrence of two successive intermediates of which one has a structure close to that of UO₂, but with interstitial fluorine atoms. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electrochemical investigations of the system LiUO2F2

Uranyl fluoride, UO₂F₂, and a lithiated uranyl fluoride, Li₂UO₂F₂, have been studied as the electrochemically active materials in nonaqueous lithium batteries. Both open circuit and discharge potentials have been measured as a function of utilization. The reversibility of the couple has been demonstrated. It is concluded that the phase Li₂UO₂F₂ is an end member of a nonstoichiometric homogeneity range of generalized composition Li_xUO₂F₂ where x varies from 0 to 2.     

Preparation de nouveaux difluorodioxophosphates a partir de l’oxyde de difluorure de phosphoryle Partie V. Reactions aur le trioxyde d’uranium

UO₂(PO₂F₂)₂ has been synthesized from the action of P₂O₃F₄ on UO₃ or uranyl nitrate. The monofluorophosphate UO₂(PO₃F) was obtained by thermal decomposition. Infrared and Raman spectroscopic investigation of UO₂(PO₂F₂)₂ suggest a chain structure with oxygen phosphorus-oxygen bridges.     

Determination of specific surface area of uranium oxide powders using differential thermal analysis technique

The two step oxidation of UO_2+x and reduction of U₃O₈ powders observed during Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) has been exploited to determine their Specific Surface Areas (SSAs). The results obtained by this method have been compared with the Braunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) method and are found to be in good agreement in the SSA range of 2–4 m²/gm in the case of UO_2+x obtained from ADU route and 4–8 m²/gm in the case of AUC route. A precision of ±0.1 m²/gm is obtained. The maximum temperature of oxidation and reduction of these oxides are dependent upon their preparative routes such as Ammonium Diuranate (ADU) and Ammonium Uranyl Carbonate (AUC).     

A Dinuclear Uranium Complex [{UO2F2(NH3)}2(μ-F)2]2− from Reaction of TlF and UO2F2 in Liquid Anhydrous Ammonia and Fluoride Ion Affinities for Some Uranyl(VI) Species [UO2Fx]2−x and [UO2Fx(NH3)5−x]2−x

UO₂F₂ abstracts F⁻ anions from TlF in liquid ammonia solution and the compound [Tl₂(NH₃)₆][{UO₂F₂(NH₃)}₂(μ-F)₂] is formed. The compound has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations for the solid state. Quantum-chemical investigation of the [{UO₂F₂(NH₃)}₂(μ-F)₂]²⁻ anion showed that the U−(μ-F)−U σ-3c-4e-bond is essentially ionic. The [Tl₂(NH₃)₆]²⁺ cation shows a thallophilic Tl⋅⋅⋅Tl interaction. Fluoride ion affinities (FIAs) were calculated for different UO₂²⁺ species [UO₂F_x]^2−x and [UO₂F_x(NH₃)_5−x]^2−x with x=0 to 4.     

Excitation and luminescence spectra of UO2F2−4

The luminescence and excitation spectra of [(CH₃)₄]₂UO₂F₄, M₃UO₂F₅ (M = K and Rb) and Cs₂SnCl₆:UO₂Cl²⁻₄ have been recorded at temperatures down to 10 K. The excitation spectrum of [(CH₃)₄]₂UO₂F₄ is unique because the electronic origin is located at the lowest energy reported for any uranyl compound. The analysis of the excitation spectrum is consistent with a D_4h, but not a D_5h coordinated uranyl chromophore. A detailed interpretation of the vibronic structure of the spectrum enables the lower excited states of the uranyl ion to be located, and the symmetries of these are consistent with the model of Denning. A comparison with the excitation spectra of salts of the UO₂F³⁻₅ anion is made.     

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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Mit 4 Abbildungen     

Heptafluorodiuranylates with mixed cations

Conclusions Heptafluorodiuranylates with mixed monovalent cations of composition K(NH₄)₂ (UO₂)₂F₇ · 2H₂O, Rb(NH₄)₂(UO₂)₂F₇, and Cs₂NH₄(UO₂)₂F₇ were synthesized, and some of their properties were studied.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1386–1388, June, 1976.The author is indebted to L. G. Kharlamova for running a part of the chemical analyses.     

Synthesis and non-isothermal degradations of the bridged diacetato–diamido–diamine–uranyl complex

The new bridged diacetato–diamido–diamine–uranyl complex {2[(UO₂)(H₂N)(H₃N)(OOCCH₃)]} was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR measurement as well as TG and DTA analysis. The kinetic parameters; activation energy (E_a), pre-exponential factor (A) and the order of decomposition (n) were calculated from TG curves using Coats–Redfern and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods. The mechanism of decomposition has been established from TG and DTA data. The data obtained agree quite well with the expected structure and show that the complex finally decomposes to form UO₃. A general mechanism describing the formation of bridged complex {2[(UO₂)(H₂N)(H₃N)(OOCCH₃)]} is proposed.     

Preparations,structures and thermal decomposition of some bis(pentafluorobenzoato)dioxouranium(VI) complexes

Reaction Of UO₂(O₂CCH₃)₂ with pentafluorobenzoic acid yields UO₂(O₂CC₆F₅)₂, which has been converted into the solvated complexes UO₂(O₂CC₆F₅)₂L₂·S [L₂ = 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy), S = 0.33 (PhH) or 0.07 (t-BuOH); L = Ph₃PO, S = t-BuOH; L = Ph₃AsO, S = 0.40 (t-BuOH)] and the solvent free UO₂(O₂CC₆F₅)₂L₂ [L₂ = bpy; L = Ph₃PO]. The crystal structure of UO₂(O₂CC₆F₅)₂bpy (orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁; a = 18.45(2), b = 18.94(2), c = 7.069(8) Å, Z = 4] reveals distorted hexagonal bipyramidal stereochemistry with a trans UO₂ group, chelating pentafluorobenzoate ligands, and chelating 2,2′-bipyridyl, which is significantly displaced from the hexagonal plane. The structure of UO₂(O₂CC₆F₅)₂(OPPh₃)₂·t-BuOH [rhombohedral, space group R3; a = 21.51(3) Å, α = 117.28(5)°, Z = 3] shows trans UO₂, pseudo trans Ph₃PO ligands, and one unidentate and one disordered chelating pentafluorobenzoate ligand, whilst t-BuOH could not be located because it is highly disordered. Relationships between ν (CO₂) frequencies and the carboxylate coordination are discussed, and UO₂(O₂CC₆F₅)₂(OAsPh₃)₂.0.40 (t-BuOH) is considered to have stereochemistry similar to that of the phosphine oxide complex. The complexes undergo decarboxylation in dimethyl sulphoxide yielding pentafluorobenzene and carbonatodioxouranium(VI) species not UO₂(C₆F₅)₂ derivatives.     

Chemistry of the CARBOFTOREX process. Identification of the absorption bands of the ligands in the electronic spectra of aqueous solutions of uranyl fluoride

The electronic absorption bands of aqueous solutions of the [UO₂F₂(H₂O) _n ] complex were assigned taking into account dissociation, hydration, association, and ligand exchange. The absorption in the range of 190–400 nm was found to be related to the formation of cationic, neutral, and anionic complex species, [UO₂F₂(H₂O) _n ].     

UO2F4: A new uranyl complex ion

The synthesis, vibrational and electronic spectra of [(CH₃)₄N]₂ UO₂F₄ are described. The data indicate that this compound contains the previously unknown UO₂F₄²⁻ ion which has D_4h symmetry.     

Thermal decomposition of ammonium uranates precipitated from uranyl nitrate solution with ammonium hydroxide

Thermal decomposition of ammonium uranates precipitated from uranyl nitrate solutions on addition of aqueous ammonium hydroxide under various conditions has been examined by thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction study. The TG curves of all precipitates show the weight-loss corresponding to the calculated value as UO₃·NH₃·H₂O. The DTA curves of the precipitates give the endotherms at about 130, 210 and 590 °C and the exotherms at 340–420 °C. As a result, it is found that ammonium uranates thermally decompose to amorphous UO₃ at about 400 °C, and transform to U₃O₈ via β-UO₃.     

Infrared spectra of some uranium oxyfluoride molecules isolated in solid argon

Reaction of laser-ablated uranium with oxygen/fluorine mixtures or laser-ablated uranium dioxide ceramic with fluorine produces the uranium oxyfluorides molecules UO₂F₂, UO₂F and UOF₄, which have been isolated in solid argon and identified by virtue of the effects of oxygen isotopic substitution on their infrared spectra.     

The fluorination of uranium and vanadium oxides with some metal fluorides

UO₃ reacts with CrF₃ or CuF₂ forming UO₂F₂ and Cr₂O₃ or CuO respectively. Further fluorination occurs above 800°C to form UF₆ though the presence of excess CrF₃ gives mainly UF₄. The fluorination of U₃O₈ with CrF₃ gave UO₂F₂, UF₄ and Cr₂O₃ but with CuF₂ gave UO₂F₂, CuO and Cu₂O. VO₂ reacts with excess CrF₃ forming VF₃, VF₅ and Cr₂O₃. If there is a deficiency of CrF₃ the products are VOF₃, V₃O₅ and Cr₂O₃. CuF₂ and VO₂ form VOF₃, CuO and Cu₂O.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, and characterization of a new pseudo-two-dimensional uranyl oxyfluoride, [N(C2H5)4]2[(UO2)4(OH2)3F10]

A new uranyl oxyfluoride, [N(C₂H₅)₄]₂[(UO₂)₄(OH₂)₃F₁₀] has been synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction technique using (C₂H₅)₄NBr, UO₂(OCOCH₃)₂·2H₂O, and HF as reagents. The structure of [N(C₂H₅)₄]₂[(UO₂)₄(OH₂)₃F₁₀] has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. [N(C₂H₅)₄]₂[(UO₂)₄(OH₂)₃F₁₀] crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n (No. 14), with , , , β=98.88(3)°, , and Z=4. [N(C₂H₅)₄]₂[(UO₂)₄(OH₂)₃F₁₀] reveals a novel pseudo-two-dimensional crystal structure that is composed of UO₂F₅, UO₃F₄, and UO₄F₃ pentagonal bipyramids. Each uranyl pentagonal bipyramid shares edges and corners through F atoms to form a six-membered ring. The rings are further interconnected to generate infinite strips running along the b-axis. [N(C₂H₅)₄]₂[(UO₂)₄(OH₂)₃F₁₀] has been further characterized by elemental analysis, bond valence calculations, Infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis.     

UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(VI), Sn(IV), Th(IV) and Li(I) complexes of 4-azomalononitrile antipyrine

UO₂(VI), Sn(IV), Th(IV) and Li(I) complexes of 4-azomalononitrile antipyrine (L) have been isolated and characterized based on IR spectra, ¹H NMR, elemental analyses, molar conductance and thermal analysis (DTA/TG). The study revealed that the ligand behaves as a neutral bidentate one and coordination takes place via the carbonyl atom of pyrazolone ring >C=O and the azomethine nitrogen >C=N. The thermal stability of the metal complexes were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques and infrared spectra, and correlated to their structure. The thermal study revealed that Th(IV) complexes show lower thermal stability than both UO₂(VI) and Sn(IV) complexes.     

Preparation of uranium oxide powder for nuclear fuel pellet fabrication with uranium peroxide recovered from uranium oxide scraps by using a carbonate–hydrogen peroxide solution

This work studied a way to reclaim uranium from contaminated UO₂ oxide scraps as a sinterable UO₂ powder for UO₂ fuel pellet fabrication, which included a dissolution of the uranium oxide scraps in a carbonate solution with hydrogen peroxide and a UO₄ precipitation step. Dissolution characteristics of reduced and oxidized uranium oxides were evaluated in a carbonate solution with hydrogen peroxide, and the UO₄ precipitation were confirmed by acidification of uranyl peroxo–carbonate complex solution. An agglomerated UO₄ powder obtained by the dissolution and precipitation of uranium in the carbonate solution could not be pulverized into fine UO₂ powder by the OREOX process, because of submicron-sized individual UO₄ particles forming the agglomerated UO₄ precipitate. The UO₂ powder prepared from the UO₄ precipitate could meet the UO₂ powder specifications for UO₂ fuel pellet fabrication by a series of steps such as dehydration of UO₄ precipitate, reduction, and milling. The sinterability of the reclaimed UO₂ powder for fuel pellet fabrication was improved by adding virgin UO₂ powder in the reclaimed UO₂ powder. A process to reclaim the contaminated uranium scraps as UO₂ fuel powder using a carbonate solution was finally suggested.     

Determination of cholride in natural and potable water samples byturbidimetric descrete-sample automatic analysis.

The reduction of the uranyl-mellitate complex at the dropping mercury electrode has been studied in aqueous and dimethyl sulfoxide solution. In aqueous solution, besides the reduction waves of the uranyl-mellitate complex, corresponding to the reduction of U(VI) to U(V), and of U(V) to U(III), an adsorption wave and a catalytic hydrogen wave were obtained; the species formed below pH 4.0 was UO₂(H₃A)^- and above pH 4.0 was UO₂(OH)(H₃A)^2-. In dimethyl sulfoxide solution, two well-defined waves were observed; the first wave is due to reduction of a uranyl-mellitate-DMSO complex, and the second to reduction of mellitic acid. The species involved are UO₂(DMSO)₆²⁺ below pH 2.2 and UO₂(H₃A)(DMSO)₅^-1 above pH 2.2. The activation energies of the reduction process were determined.     

A new solvent system for the separation of Th4+, UO 2 2+ and Zr4+ in the presence of common anions by thin-layer chromatography

Summary A TLC method has been developed for separating Th⁴⁺, UO₂ ²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ in the presence of some common anions using a dimethylamine/acetone/formic acid mobile phase. Capacity factors, separation factors and resolution for the separation of Th⁴⁺ from UO₂ ²⁺ have been evaluated. The effect of the pH of the sample on R_F values of Th⁴⁺, UO₂ ²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ has also been examined.