title: Characterization of Sb-doped Bi(2)UO(6) solid solutions by X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.
abstract: The preparation and characterization of Sb-doped Bi(2)UO(6) solid solutions, in a limited composition range, is reported for the first time. The solid solutions were prepared by solid-state reactions of Bi(2)O(3), Sb(2)O(3) and U(3)O(8) in the required stoichiometry. The reaction products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements at the Bi and U L(3) edges. The XRD patterns indicate the precipitation of additional phases in the samples when Sb doping exceeds 4 at%. The chemical shifts of the Bi absorption edges in the samples, determined from the XANES spectra, show a systematic variation only up to 4 at% of Sb doping and support the results of XRD measurements. These observations are further supported by the local structure parameters obtained by analysis of the EXAFS spectra. The local structure of U is found to remain unchanged upon Sb doping indicating that Sb(+3) ions replace Bi(+3) during the doping of Bi(2)UO(6) by Sb.
authors.affiliation: Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai-400094, India. nlmisra@barc.gov.in
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: Sangita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhara
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Rohan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Phatak
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Poswal
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya