Low-temperature synthesis of uranium tetraboride by solid-state metathesis reactions.
A novel synthesis of uranium tetraboride (UB(4)) by solid-state metathesis reaction is demonstrated. This approach significantly lowers the temperature required to synthesize this material to < or = 850 degrees C. When UCl(4) is reacted with 2 equiv of MgB(2) at 850 degrees C, crystalline UB(4) is formed. Powder X-ray diffraction and ICP-AES data support the reduction of UCl(4) to UCl(3) as the initial step in the reaction. The UB(4) product is purified by washing with water.
Lupinetti
Anthony J
AJ
Nuclear Materials Technology Division (NMT-2), Mail Stop E511, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA. lupi@lanl.gov
Fife
Julie L
JL
Garcia
Eduardo
E
Dorhout
Peter K
PK
Abney
Kent D
KD