Synthesis of Nanocrystalline PuO2 by Hydrothermal and Thermal Decomposition of Pu(IV) Oxalate: A Comparative Study
Viktoria Baumann, Karin Popa, Olaf Walter, Murielle Rivenet, G. Senentz, Bertrand Morel, R.J.M. Konings
Abstract
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.
Topics & Concepts
Hydrothermal circulationOxalateThermal decompositionDecompositionNanocrystalline materialActinideMaterials scienceHydrothermal synthesisPyrolysisChemical engineeringNuclear chemistryChemistryInorganic chemistryNanotechnologyOrganic chemistryEngineeringNuclear Materials and PropertiesRadioactive element chemistry and processingNuclear materials and radiation effects