Oxidation and Hydration of U3O8 Materials Following Controlled Exposure to Temperature and Humidity

• DOI: 10.1021/ac504105t
• Publication Date: 2015-03-18T22:13:09Z
• Authors: Alison L. Tamasi; Kevin S. Boland; Kenneth Czerwinski; Jason K. Ellis; Stosh A. Kozimor; Richard L. Martin; Alison L. Pugmire; Dallas Reilly; Brian L. Scott; Andrew D. Sutton; Gregory L. Wagner; Justin R. Walensky; Marianne P. Wilke...
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

Chemical signatures correlated with uranium oxide processing are of interest to forensic science for inferring sample provenance. Identification temporal changes in chemical structures process materials as a function controlled temperatures and relative humidities may provide additional information regarding history. In this study, high-purity α-U3O8 three other samples synthesized from reaction routes used nuclear conversion processes were stored under conditions over 2-3.5 years, powder X-ray diffraction analysis absorption spectroscopy employed characterize speciation. Signatures measured the indicated that material oxidized hydrated after storage high humidity time. Impurities, such uranyl fluoride or schoepites, initially detectable samples. After conditions, analyses revealed oxidation time, although signature impurity diminished. The presence schoepite phases older is likely indicative should be taken into account assessing absence impurity, hydrate, an not preclude its at initial time production. LA-UR-15-21495.