Thermal expansion studies on UMoO5, UMoO6, Na2U(MoO4)3 and Na4U(MoO4)4

In the present work, thermal expansion behavior of lower valent sodium uranium molybdates, i.e., Na₂U(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄U(MoO₄)₄ were studied under vacuum in the temperature range of 298-873 K using high temperature X-ray diffractometry (HTXRD). Expansion behaviors of UMoO₅ and UMoO₆ were also studied in vacuum from 298 to 873 K and 773 K, respectively. UMoO₅ was synthesized by reacting UO₂ with MoO₃ in equi-molar proportion in evacuated sealed quartz ampoule at 1173 K for 14 h. Na₂U(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄U(MoO₄)₄ were prepared by reacting UMoO₅ and MoO₃ with 1 and 2 moles of Na₂MoO₄, respectively, at 873 K in evacuated sealed quartz ampoule. XRD data of UMoO₅ and UMoO₆ were indexed on orthorhombic and monoclinic systems, respectively, whereas, the data of Na₂U(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄U(MoO₄)₄ were indexed on tetragonal system. The lattice parameters and cell volume of all the four compounds, fit into polynomial expression with respect to temperature, showed positive thermal expansion (PTE) up to 873 K.     

Preparation and characterisation of Tl2Pu(MoO4)3 and Tl4Pu(MoO4)4 in Tl-Pu-Mo-O system by X-ray and thermal methods

The quaternary Tl-Pu-Mo-O system was investigated for the first time and two new quaternary compounds Tl₂Pu(MoO₄)₃ and Tl₄Pu(MoO₄)₄ were synthesized by solid state reactions of Tl₂MoO₄ with Pu(MoO₄)₂ in 1:1 and 2:1 molar proportions at 773 K and 823 K, respectively. X-ray powder diffraction data of these compounds were indexed on orthorhombic system. Thermogravimetric (TG) curves of Tl₂Pu(MoO₄)₃ and Tl₄Pu(MoO₄)₄ were recorded in air and no significant weight changes were observed up to 973 K and 1033 K, respectively. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves of Tl₂Pu(MoO₄)₃ and Tl₄Pu(MoO₄)₄ showed endothermic peaks due to the melting of the compounds at 838 K and 1013 K, respectively. Non-isothermal kinetics of decomposition of Tl₂Pu(MoO₄)₃ and Tl₄Pu(MoO₄)₄ in air was studied using thermogravimetric technique. Tl₂Pu(MoO₄)₃ and Tl₄Pu(MoO₄)₄ when heated up to 1673 K decomposed to Tl₂O and MoO₃ in the gaseous form, giving solid PuO₂ as an end product. The reactions followed unimolecular nucleation and growth mechanism with activation energies of 106 kJ/mol and 157 kJ/mol, respectively.     

The pre-dose effect in natural white mica (H2KAl3(SiO4)3)

A comprehensive study of the pre-dose effect was carried out for natural white mica. A pre-dose of 1 kGy of γ-radiation followed by thermal activation to 550 °C of fired mica (heated at 800 °C for 10 h) leads to a large increase in the TL sensitivity. The TL response to γ-rays of sensitized aliquots was found to be linear-sublinear while that of unsensitized aliquots was linear-superlinear referring specifically to graphs drawn on a linear-linear scale. The change in the TL sensitivity of mica was explained by using the recombination during heating model. This study is of importance in dating and retrospective dosimetry.     

Unimolecular isomerization from (CH3)3CNC to (CH3)3CCN induced by infrared free electron laser

Irradiation of IR Free Electron Laser at Tokyo University of Science (FEL-TUS) to t-butyl isonitrile ((CH₃)₃CNC) in the gas phase induced the isomerization reaction to trimethylacetonitrile ((CH₃)₃CCN). From the kinetic analyses, the isomerization reaction was attributed to the IR multiphoton activated unimolecular process. The wide frequency tunability of FEL-TUS enabled us to reveal that the excitation of the NC as well as the CN stretching motion efficiently drove the isomerization.     

离子液体中UO2(CMPO)3(NO3)2的组装及CMPO萃取铀的机理

离子液体具有独特的物理化学性质,可以参与或影响两亲分子自组装。离子液体介质中的自组装研究所涉及的两亲分子多为有机化合物,而金属配合物在离子液体中的组装鲜有报道。另外,萃取剂正辛基苯基-N,N-二异丁基胺基甲酰基甲基氧化膦(CMPO)在1-乙基-3-甲基咪唑双三氟甲基磺酰亚胺盐(C₂mimNTf²)中萃取UO₂⁺²时形成的萃合物结构组成有待深入研究。本工作探究了UO₂(CMPO)₃(NO₃)₂在C₂mimNTf²中的组装行为。原位透射电镜(原位TEM)研究表明:UO₂(CMPO)₃(NO₃)₂在C₂mimNTf²(含70μL水)中形成聚集体,冷冻刻蚀电镜(FF-TEM)显示该聚集体是胶束。此外,研究了CMPO-C₂mimNTf²体系萃取UO₂⁺²时形成的萃合物组成。离子色谱结果表明:萃取前后水相中NO^-₃浓度变化不大,电喷雾质谱(ESI-MS)上均为UO₂(CMPO)₃(NTf₂)₂的碎片离子峰,这些结果说明:CMPO-C₂mimNTf²体系萃取UO₂⁺²时形成的萃合物组成为UO₂(CMPO)₃(NTf₂)₂而非UO₂(CMPO)₃(NO₃)₂。这有助于深入了解金属配合物在离子液体中的组装行为,并对理解CMPO-C₂mimNTf²体系萃取UO₂⁺²的机理提供了重要参考。     

Th(NO_3)_4-UO_2(NO_3)_2-HNO_3-H_2O/30%TBP-正十二烷萃取体系主要组分分配比模型

利用文献报道的Th(NO3)4-UO2(NO3)2-HNO3-H2O/30%TBP-正十二烷体系各组分的分配比实验数据对现有的分配比模型进行分析和比对,提出了一个计算该体系各组分分配比的新模型。利用34组实验数据对新模型进行了验证,符合情况良好。计算结果表明,本文提出的模型明显优于原模型,可作为Th(NO3)4-UO2(NO3)2-HNO3-H2O/30%TBP-正十二烷萃取体系中Th(Ⅳ)、U(Ⅵ)和HNO3萃取行为计算机模拟的基础。模型建立的条件为:温度,25℃;U(Ⅵ)浓度,0~100g/L;Th(Ⅳ)浓度,0~232g/L;硝酸浓度,0~4.5mol/L。     

Heats of formation of (U,Mo)Al3 and U(Al,Si)3

The heats of formation of (U,Mo)Al₃ intermetallic compounds were obtained by measuring the reaction heats of U-Mo/Al dispersion samples by differential scanning calorimetry. Based on literature data for the reaction heats of U₃Si/Al and U₃Si₂/Al dispersion samples, the heats of formation of U(Al,Si)₃ as a function of the Si content were calculated. The heat of formation of (U,Mo)Al₃ becomes less negative as the Mo content increases. Conversely, the heat of formation of U(Al,Si)₃ becomes more negative with increasing Si content.     

Thermophysical studies on the binary system UO2(NO3)2·6H2O - Sr(NO3)2

Thermoanalytical (TG-DTA-EGA) and X-ray diffraction measurements have been used to study the reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and strontium nitrate. The results confirmed the absence of a direct interaction between the two compounds. The presence of strontium nitrate, however, ensured that the extent of hydrolysis and polymerisation of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate during its dehydration and decomposition to UO₃ is significantly reduced. DTA curves recorded in both heating and cooling modes gave evidence to the occurrence of a reaction between molten strontium nitrate and uranium trioxide to form nitrato-complexes of uranium and strontium. X-ray diffraction data on reaction residues obtained at different temperatures and cooled to room temperature also showed evidence for the formation of such complexes. The results obtained indicated an increase in thermal stability of these nitrato-complexes with increase in Sr/U ratio. The complex with an Sr/U ratio of 2.0 is stable up to 660 °C and the complex with Sr/U ratio of 4.0 is stable up to 680 °C. These complexes decompose at higher temperatures to give strontium uranates.     

Low silicon U(Al,Si)3 stabilization by Zr addition

Previous knowledge states that (U,Zr)Al₃ and U(Al,Si)₃ phases with Zr and Si content higher than 6 at.% (7.7 wt%) and 4 at.% (1.4 wt%), respectively, does not partially transform to UAl₄ at 600 °C. In this work, four alloys within the quaternary system U-Al-Si-Zr were made with a fixed nominal 0.18 at.% (0.1 wt%) Si content in order to assess the synergetic effect of both Zr and Si alloying elements to the thermodynamic stability of the (U,Zr)(Al,Si)₃ phase. Heat treatments at 600 °C were undertaken and samples were analyzed by means of XRD, EPMA and EDS techniques. A remarkable conclusion is that addition of 0.3 at.% Si in the (U,Zr)(Al,Si)₃ phase reduces in 2.7 at.% the necessary Zr content to inhibit its transformation to U(Al,Si)₄.     

An experimental study on linear differential scattering coefficients of the radioactive compounds UO2(C2H3O2)2 · 2H2O and Th(NO3)4 · 5H2O at 60 keV

The linear differential scattering coefficients at 60 keV have been measured for UO₂(C₂H₃O₂)₂ · 2H₂O (uranyl-acetate) and Th(NO₃)₄ · 5H₂O (thorium-nitrate) radioactive compounds at seven angles ranging from 60° to 120° at intervals 10°. The obtained results have been compared with relativistic and non-relativistic theoretical values.     

Thermoluminescence properties of nanocrystalline K2Ca2(SO4)3:Eu irradiated with gamma rays and proton beam

Thermoluminescence properties of nanocrystalline K₂Ca₂(SO₄)₃:Eu prepared by ball milling technique have been studied and the nanophosphor’s suitability as an effective gamma radiation and proton beam dosimeter material has been examined. It is found that the nanophosphor is suitable for dosimetry over a very wide range of doses ∼1 Gy to 1 kGy for gamma radiation. And for proton beam the same nanophosphor shows a more or less linear response for the dose range 0.1-100 Gy. A comparative study of this nanophosphor with its corresponding microcrystalline form (prepared by solid-state diffusion method) as well as the nanocrystalline form prepared by (the more conventional) co-precipitation technique has shown that the nanophosphor prepared by the ball milling technique is in almost all respects better than the other two forms reported earlier.     

Decomposition and multiphase reactions in the system UO2(NO3)2·6H2O-Ni(NO3)2·6H2O at elevated temperatures

Solid state reactions between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and nickel nitrate hexahydrate in mixtures of various ratios have been studied at elevated temperatures. The binary system of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and nickel nitrate hexahydrate was found to form a eutectic of composition 53 mol% uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and 47 mol% nickel nitrate hexahydrate at 40 °C. The overlap of evolution of nitric oxide (NO) and water vapour above 230 °C confirmed the presence of hydroxynitrates of uranium and nickel as intermediate products. These hydroxynitrates began to react above 280 °C to form nickel uranate, NiU₃O₁₀, in the case of mixtures containing 75 mol% uranyl nitrate hexahydrate. When the proportion of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate in the mixture was higher than 75 mol%, U₃O₈ formed along with nickel uranate. For the mixtures containing uranyl nitrate hexahydrate lower than 75 mol%, NiO was observed to form along with NiU₃O₁₀.     

High-temperature specific heat of UO2 ThO2, and A12O3

The high-temperature specific heat of solid UO₂, ThO₂, and Al₂O₃ can be represented by an equation of the form $\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{p(s)}}\text{= 3}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{RF(?}{}_{\mathrm{D}}\text{/T) + dT}{}^3$, (1) where ?_D is the Debye temperature, F(?_D/T) is the Debye function, $\text{d}$ represents contributions of the anharmonic vibrations within the lattice, and $\text{n}$ denotes the number of atoms per molecule. In the liquid the corresponding equation is $\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{p(1)}}\text{= 3}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{RF(?}{}_{\mathrm{D}}\text{/T) +}\text{h}\text{T}{}^2$, (2) where h is the anharmonic term. It is shown that for Al₂O₃ and UO₂, where experimental data for the liquid phase are also available, $\text{d}\text{h}$ has the same value, Indicating that both materials behave identically. If we compare the thermodynamic relationship $\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{p}}\text{? C}{}_{\mathrm{v}}\text{= Vα}{}^2\text{KT}$, (3) where V is the volume, $\text{α}$ the volume expansion coefficient, and $\text{K}$ the bulk modulus, with equation (1), It follows that d must be equal to $\text{Vα}{}^2\text{K}\text{T}{}^2$; the value of $\text{Vα}{}^2\text{K}\text{T}{}^2$ is calculated in the temperature region where d was obtained; within experimental error they are equal.     

Effects of γ-irradiation on the optical properties of a-(Sb0.1Ge0.3Se0.6) and Ag5(Sb0.1Ge0.3Se0.6)95 thin film material

The amorphous behaviour of (Sb_0.1Ge_0.3Se_0.6) and Ag₅(Sb_0.1Ge_0.3Se_0.6)₉₅ chalcogenide thin film materials deposited at room temperature onto glass substrates by thermal evaporation process was investigated using X-ray diffraction technique. The surface morphology as well as the elemental chemical composition of the as-deposited films was investigated via scanning electron microscopy. The optical transmission and reflection spectra of as-deposited films and that exposed for different γ-dose were recorded at room temperature in the wavelength range of 600-2500 nm. Systematic studies of the refractive index, extinction coefficient and optical band gap have been presented as a function of the γ-dose. The dispersion of the refractive index for such films is discussed in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple-DiDomenico model, which was presented.     

The thermoluminescent properties of lithium triborate (LiB3O5) activated by aluminium

In this paper, the thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetric characteristics of Al-doped LiB₃O₅ compounds are presented. The powder samples were prepared by the solid-state reaction method and the formation of the compounds were confirmed by an X-ray diffraction study. The TL studies of undoped and Al-doped LiB₃O₅ samples showed similar glow curve structures. They have three TL glow peaks at about 60, 130 and 200 °C after heating at a constant heating rate of 1 °C/s. Their comparative TL studies indicated that 5 wt% Al-doped LiB₃O₅ compound was approximately 240 times more sensitive than undoped compound. The TL emission spectra of Al-doped LiB₃O₅ showed a maximum band at around 520 nm. The main dosimetric characteristics, which are namely the TL dose response, TL sensitivity, fading, minimum detectable dose, reproducibility, precision of dose measurement and annealing procedure, indicated that Al-doped LiB₃O₅ sample, can be used in dosimetric applications. The trap parameters namely order of kinetics (b), activation energy (E) and frequency factor (s) associated with the glow peaks in beta irradiated undoped and Al-doped LiB₃O₅ samples were obtained by glow curve deconvolution (GCD) program.     

Chemical state and distribution of iodine deposits on 17% Cr/12% Ni steel oxidised in CO2/CH3I gas mixtures

Iodine-131 is one of the most important volatile fission product elements with respect to radiobiological impact, and the characterisation of its chemical state and distribution on reactor surfaces is required for reactor safety assessments. To this end, duplicate samples of Type 316 (17%Cr/12% Ni) stainless steel oxidised in CO₂/CH₃I gas mixtures and previously characterised using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been examined using Raman spectroscopy. The aim is to improve our understanding of the way in which iodine is distributed throughout the oxide scale and to identify its chemical state. In this paper we present Raman spectra recorded from a series of stainless steel specimens together with spectra recorded from a number of standard iodine compounds. It is demonstrated that the technique is well suited as a fingerprint method of species identification, can differentiate between the chemical state of iodine as iodide and iodate and can analyse thin oxide films (5–50 nm). Identification of iodine deposits in these oxide films at concentrations of 2 at% was not achieved however, there being insufficient iodine present to distinguish any peaks present from the background signal. It is concluded that local concentrations of iodine in oxide inclusions of different composition/morphology on the steel surface does not occur to any extent.     

Thermodynamic studies on Cs4U5O17(s) and Cs2U2O7(s) by emf and calorimetric measurements

The oxygen potentials over the phase field: Cs₄U₅O₁₇(s)+Cs₂U₂O₇(s)+Cs₂U₄O₁₂(s) was determined by measuring the emf values between 1048 and 1206 K using a solid oxide electrolyte galvanic cell. The oxygen potential existing over the phase field for a given temperature can be represented by: Δμ(O₂) (kJ/mol) (±0.5)=−272.0+0.207T (K). The differential thermal analysis showed that Cs₄U₅O₁₇(s) is stable in air up to 1273 K. The molar Gibbs energy formation of Cs₄U₅O₁₇(s) was calculated from the above oxygen potentials and can be given by, Δ_fG⁰ (kJ/mol)±6=−7729+1.681T (K). The enthalpy measurements on Cs₄U₅O₁₇(s) and Cs₂U₂O₇(s) were carried out from 368.3 to 905 K and 430 to 852 K respectively, using a high temperature Calvet calorimeter. The enthalpy increments, (H⁰_T−H⁰₂₉₈), in J/mol for Cs₄U₅O₁₇(s) and Cs₂U₂O₇(s) can be represented by, H⁰_T−H⁰_298.15 (Cs₄U₅O₁₇) kJ/mol±0.9=−188.221+0.518T (K)+0.433×10⁻³T² (K)−2.052×10⁻⁵T³ (K) (368 to 905 K) and H⁰_T−H⁰_298.15 (Cs₂U₂O₇) kJ/mol±0.5=−164.210+0.390T (K)+0.104×10⁻⁴T² (K)+0.140×10⁵(1/T (K)) (411 to 860 K). The thermal properties of Cs₄U₅O₁₇(s) and Cs₂U₂O₇(s) were derived from the experimental values. The enthalpy of formation of (Cs₄U₅O₁₇, s) at 298.15 K was calculated by the second law method and is: Δ_fH⁰_298.15=−7645.0±4.2 kJ/mol.     

γ Spectrometry Analysis Method for 228Ra in Water Based on Fe(OH)3-CaCO3 Carrier

The γ spectrometry analysis method for ²²⁸Ra in water based on Fe(OH)₃-CaCO₃ carrier was developed, which is suitable for the analysis of 228Ra in environmental water. The enrichment method of ²²⁸Ra in water was carried out by Fe(OH)₃-CaCO₃ co-precipitation method. The enriched 228Ra was further loaded by Ba(Ra)SO₄ co-precipitation method, and ²²⁸Ra was determined by ¹³³Ba tracer method. The full recovery rate was measured using high-purity Ge γ spectrometer to measure the characteristic γ energy of the decaying daughter ²²⁸Ac, which reached the radioactive equilibrium with ²²⁸Ra, thereby obtaining the analysis result of 228Ra. Through the calibration of 5 L water sample, it is known that the recovery rate of 228Ra is in the range of 81.8%-87.5%. The relative deviation of the water sample measurement is 1.7%-5.3%, and the detection limit of this method is 57.2 mBq/L.     

Reactivity of hydrogen peroxide towards Fe3O4, Fe2CoO4 and Fe2NiO4

The kinetics of CRUD oxidation by H₂O₂ has been studied using aqueous suspensions of metal oxide powder. Fe₃O₄, Fe₂CoO₄ and Fe₂NiO₄ were used as model compounds for CRUD. In addition, the activation energies for the reaction between H₂O₂ and the three CRUD models were determined. The rate constants at room temperature were determined to 6.6 (±0.4) × 10⁻⁹, 3.4 (±0.4) × 10⁻⁸ and 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁰ m min⁻¹ for Fe₃O₄, Fe₂CoO₄ and Fe₂NiO₄, respectively. The corresponding activation energies are 52 ± 4, 44 ± 5 and 57 ± 7 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The mechanism of the reaction is briefly discussed indicating that the final solid product in all three cases is Fe₂O₃. In addition to the experimental studies, the theoretical grounds for kinetics of reactions in particle suspensions are discussed. The theoretical discussion is also used to explain the somewhat unexpected trends in reactivity observed experimentally.     

六亚甲基四胺浸渍活性炭捕集甲基碘

最常用的吸碘用浸渍剂三乙烯二胺（TEDA）存在着蒸汽压高、闪点低等缺点,使得TEDA浸渍炭仅能在390K下使用,而六亚甲基四胺（HMTA）具有高闪点和低挥发性的优点,可作为TEDA的替代材料。在27℃、相对湿度介于95%～96.5%的条件下,测试了HMTA浸渍活性炭富集碘过程中几项参数的影响。结果表明：对于本实验所使用的煤质活性炭,w=5%的HMTA浸渍量和30min的烘干时间是最适宜的,pH值的降低以及活性炭与空气接触则会降低吸附效率。本工作为进一步研究HMTA作为除碘用浸渍剂提供了实验依据。