title: Fluoride-conversion synthesis of homogeneous actinide oxide solid solutions.
abstract: The synthesis of (U,Th)O(2) solid solutions at a relatively low temperature of 1100 °C using a new technique is described. First, separate actinide oxides were reacted with ammonium hydrogen fluoride to form ammonium actinide fluorides at room temperature. Subsequently, this fluoride was converted to an actinide oxide solid solution using a two-phase reaction process, which involved heating of the fluoride first at 610 °C in static air followed by heating at 1100 °C in flowing argon. Oxide solid solutions of UO(2) and ThO(2) were synthesized for a ThO(2) content from 10 to 90 wt %. Microscopic investigation showed that the (U,Th)O(2) solid solutions synthesized using this method had high crystallinity and homogeneity up to nanoscale.
authors: Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Box 454009, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA. silvagw@ornl.gov
authors: G W Chinthaka
authors: GW
authors: Silva
authors: John D
authors: JD
authors: Hunn
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Yeamans
authors: Gary S
authors: GS
authors: Cerefice
authors: Ken R
authors: KR
authors: Czerwinski