Infrared spectroscopic study on the thermal decomposition of external and internal gelation products of simulated mixed oxide nuclear fuel

The thermal decomposition of urania-ceria gel corresponding to the composition U(0.7)Ce(0.3)O(2+x) obtained through external and internal gelation routes were studied using infrared spectroscopy (IR). In the case of externally gelated compound, the gel decomposes with the release of H2O and NH3 below 500 degrees C. A part of the NH3 released is entrapped in the solid and above 500 degrees C self reduction occurs in which U(VI) in the gel is reduced to U3O8. The decomposition products were identified to be U3O8 and CeO2. In the case of internally gelated compound, decomposition similar to the one for externally gelated compound occurred below 500 degrees C. Above 500 degrees C the carbon present in the gel reduced U(VI) to UO2 which formed solid solution with CeO2 around 650 degrees C.