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Title: Uncloaking the thermodynamics of the studtite to metastudtite shear-induced transformation

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry. C
 [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV (United States)

The interplay between thermodynamics and mechanical properties in the transformation of studtite, (UO2)(O2)(H2O)2·2H2O, into metastudtite, (UO2)(O2)(H2O)2, two important corrosion phases observed on the surface of uranium dioxide exposed to water, is revealed using density functional perturbation theory. Phonon calculations within the quasi-harmonic approximation predict that the standard entropy change for the (UO2)(O2)(H2O)2·2H2O → (UO2)(O2)(H2O)2 + 2H2O reaction is ΔS0 = +80 J·mol–1·K–1 for the production of water in the liquid state and +389 J·mol–1·K–1 for water vapor. Similar to bulk H2O(l), the bulk modulus of (UO2)(O2)(H2O)2·2H2O increases with temperature, contrasting with (UO2)(O2)(H2O)2 which features the typical Anderson–Gruneisen temperature dependence of oxide solids. Upon removal of interstitial H2O in studtite, the most important changes in the shear modulus, the parameter limiting the mechanical stability, arise in the planes normal to chain propagation directions. Lastly, the present findings have important implications for the dehydration of other hygroscopic materials.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1324610
Report Number(s):
SAND2016-5343J; 641393
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry. C, Vol. 120, Issue 30; ISSN 1932-7447
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 29 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Periodic density functional theory study of the Raman spectrum of the hydrated uranyl oxyhydroxide mineral becquerelite journal March 2019
Becquerelite mineral phase: crystal structure and thermodynamic and mechanical stability by using periodic DFT journal January 2018
Structure–thermodynamics relationship of schoepite from first-principles journal January 2019
Structural, mechanical, spectroscopic and thermodynamic characterization of the copper-uranyl tetrahydroxide mineral vandenbrandeite journal January 2019
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